Carmichael backs Lib Dem call for rapid boost to defence spending after Trump betrayal of Ukraine

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has today backed calls by Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey to rapidly increase defence spending, aiming to hit 2.5% of GDP on defence as soon as possible, in light of Donald Trump’s increasing hostility to Ukraine and concessions to Russia. Ed Davey wrote to the Prime Minister calling for cross-party talks on how to further increase defence spending beyond 2.5% of GDP. 

The Liberal Democrats have pointed to raising the Digital Services Tax on tech giants as a potential source for the required revenue. The Lib Dems have also suggested establishing a Rearmament Bank, led by the UK and other like-minded European NATO allies, to allow them to increase defence spending further and faster by raising additional private capital.

The party has also been calling on the Government to provide Ukraine with a significant boost in support by seizing frozen Russian assets and repurposing them to Ukraine. Combined, Russian assets frozen by UK and European countries could provide Ukraine with a rescue package of over £40 billion worth of support.

Mr Carmichael said:

“It is a hard reality now that our world is rapidly becoming more hostile and there is precious little time to respond. Arguments from last year over whether defence spending should sit at 2 or 2.5% already look outdated – we need to build consensus across our politics to move further to rebuild our defence forces for whatever may come.

“In the Northern Isles we have been more aware than most of the increasing encroachment and provocations by Russia around our waters. The events of recent weeks show that we cannot take for granted the friendship and support of the United States in the Atlantic, which makes strengthening our own abilities even more important, particularly in the High North and the Greenland Gap.

“We can be proud of the efforts we have made already as a country to support allies like Ukraine in the face of Putin’s aggression – even if it is Ukrainians who have been paying the highest price. We owe it to ourselves and to our democratic allies to step up to the challenge that is before us.”

Ed Davey said:

“Donald Trump's stitch-up with Putin amounts to a betrayal of Ukraine, the UK and all our allies. It is clear: we are living in a new and dangerous world. We must respond. 

“To ensure that Great Britain is protected against Russia and able to provide the leadership which our continent needs in the absence of the US, we must increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP as soon as possible. 

“The UK needs to make a clear stand for allies in Ukraine and across Eastern Europe, for democracy and for our security - against an emboldened Vladimir Putin.”