Keir Starmer admits he would push nuclear button as prime minister if UK was under attack | ITV News

Sir Keir Starmer has said he would be willing to push the nuclear button if Britain was under attack, should he be elected in as prime minister.
In an exclusive interview with ITV News, the Labour Party leader said a nuclear deterrence "only works if there is a preparedness to use it".
In a dramatic shift from his predecessor Jeremy Corbyn, whose ambition was to see a nuclear-free world, and some Labour frontbenchers who previously voted to scrap Trident, Sir Keir today outlined plans to use the UK's nuclear deterrent as the "bedrock" of his plans to keep Britain safe.
Sir Keir also announced he would be willing to ramp up defence spending to 2.5% of GDP when the economy allows, and focus on increasing jobs and skills in the sector.
Read the full story on the ITV News website: www.itv.com/news/2024-04-12/s...
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[@chrism5230]

This mans allegiance is not with the British people!

[@wordwordful]

Davos Lover

[@theriddick2735]

Which makes him no different to everyone in London, the ENGLISH capital in which our native people are now the minority. We must reverse ALL ethnic immigration for the preservation of our native people, freedom's and lands.

[@theriddick2735]

​@@wordwordfulshirt-lifter!

[@mobsiesixsixsix9785]

@@theriddick2735 I'd rather have anyone but people like you stinking the country up.

[@paulbo9033]

​@@theriddick2735you do realise London isn't an English capital, it pre-dates England by a long way and was created and settled by people not originally from here and has always been dependent on people that are not originally from here. Basically it's an international city state that happened to be absorbed into England when England was created long after London was. Id think you'd be a bit more grateful since the entire country (you) are scrounging off our (London) money to stay afloat.

[@Umar_1994_]

These dumb politicians should stop causing situations that lead to war instead of worrying about the red button.

[@rhone81]

There's a lot of warmongering going on at the moment but this is the standard, "I'm not Jeremy Corbyn" test. When Theresa May was asked the same question she not only answered in the affirmative, but that the very thought of it gave her a lady-boner.

[@leeturton9254]

War is profitable...war is about resources and that means power to control those resources... it's a endless cycle and it will be a early end to mankind unless we somehow evolve 2:57

[@robshirewood5060]

@@leeturton9254 Yes all the vast resources in Ukraine being sold off to US etc companies, UK into Odessa etc Not to mention the dream to break up Russia and steal all theirs too, especially the Uranium. Freedom and Democracy my rear end, its all about greed, profit, exploitation, and control.

[@ArmUkraine]

Nukes prevent war silly

[@alexander92179]

Try telling Iran that

[@nightowl7459]

Starmer the snake can't be trusted on anything he says, he's done more U-turns than a veteran driving instructor.

[@life107familyfitnessboxing8]

I would never vote for Stammer. He will ruin the country. Labour must not win. Nuclear war? He is nuts, no one wins

[@oneoflokis]

💯🐍

[@icantbebotheredwithnames]

I'll never vote Labour

[@Xubelo]

Better than Tories, that’s for sure.

[@JTV84]

@@Xubelo the tories have lost the plot but they've a long way to fall before they get worse than labour. won't be long though with the trajectory they're on.

[@hanselmansell7555]

​@@Xubelo really? They seem exactly the same to me these days. Life long member, not anymore, not until Starmer has gone. Vote Green ✅️

[@Xubelo]

@@hanselmansell7555 I agree with you in that they’re not where we want them to be but they are a heeeeeeeeeeeeeell of a lot better than Tories, mate. Tories are literally like U.S. Republicans. It’s all about rhetoric, culture wars & fear-mongering without getting anything done. I’ll be voting Labour, not because I prefer them over Green Party but because I am 10000000000% anti-Tory. They’ve had a grip on the country for 10 years, with how many PMs, some of whom were unelected. How they handled the pandemic was atrocious. & now they’re preaching Americanisms like “deep state” when it’s all made up. I can’t stand these people. There’s a phenomenal & funny KZbin channel by a guy called Just Some Geezer. When you watch the specifics (what they vote yes & no on, there is a CHASM of a difference between the 2 parties).

[@Xubelo]

@@JTV84 Tories are already worse 😂 They’ve been worse for a decade.

[@IdaArtia]

This man is clearly insane.

[@skycloud4802]

Correction: Any country that decides to invade the country of somebody willing to press the red button is insane.

[@dm32904]

not original truss said it months ago, the tory parrot starmer just repeats things

[@dm32904]

@steven-gd6hp she even made Biden out as a man that makes sense when he opens his mouth

[@asne4174]

Isn’t the entire point of a nuclear deterrent that the country’s leader would be willing to use it at anytime.if the leader said he would be unwilling then any country knows it’s free reign during a war use your head

[@dm32904]

The UK would be ash in the first minutes of all out nuclear war not stammer, truss or anyone would get to press anything ​@@asne4174

[@guff9567]

What a maniac . Sheer maniac

[@danielcooke9974]

Bot or raid?

[@lunarose7234]

Not in my name you wont. I will not give labour my vote

[@TEAMMAURICE]

Stop promoting war. Please use the money to fund the NHS and build houses for the people

[@JTV84]

he's right about the deterrent. the interviewer was promoting war by asking the stupid question to get a sensational headline. how about use the money to investigate and regulate what's happening to the money already being pumped into the NHS? and who are these people who need houses? let's concentrate not on building houses but stopping the welfare state that encourages useless people from all backgrounds to breed like rabbits.

[@keith8609]

And what do you do if Putin comes knocking on your door saying he wants your land. ?

[@LayLoow]

@@keith8609that’s what the uk history is more known for look at history pal

[@keith8609]

@@LayLoow That does not mean it is acceptable in 2024

[@R8V10]

He would only do it if Israel told him to.

[@Salman_Saho]

Ikr

[@Thelma7361]

And he would say yes before he blinked

[@aleph8888]

UK Trident is assigned to NATO.

[@kdee8166]

To even talk about killing everyone on the planet is obscene.

[@danielcooke9974]

So be critical of the political motivation of always having this question asked and the fact nuclear weapons exist and that war happens as a result of the human condition, locking yourself in a room wrapped in cotton wool and hope everyone in the world does the same is even more foolish.

[@keith8609]

That is the reality of the world we live in

[@dm32904]

we would be the first country gone, so it makes no difference, only a half brain like truss would make such a statement, and only another one would repeat it

[@alexander92179]

Why do you think it's called a deterrent...

[@kdee8166]

These replies completely miss the point. We are all aware of political motivations, however decadent. We are all aware of the reality of WMDs. That was not my point; morally to talk of the existential suicide of humanity is obscene. How can it be otherwise? I get that KZbin compels the ignorant to reply, but get a grip.

[@sfrancis7856]

And they say putin is threatening everyone with nukes 😂😂😂😂

[@deanunio]

Dumb people don’t know how DETERRENCE works

[@steveo4991]

Saying you’ll legitimately defend yourself isn’t a threat to anyone but those who would deserve it, smooth brain. Putin on the other hand threatens to use nukes if someone has the audacity to try to stop him terrorising a neighbouring country. You don’t have a right to self defence when you’re the one committing the crime. So chill with the false equivalence.

[@mobsiesixsixsix9785]

@@steveo4991 So you're saying Israel doesn't have the right to self defence...... Interesting. Also, do you always attack people who think differently to you? I mean you understand that's fascism right?

[@steveo4991]

@@mobsiesixsixsix9785 That’s quite the story you’ve managed to concoct in that smooth brain of yours. You’d think someone would come along with a false equivalence after someone has already been told to chill with the false equivalences. Especially when that false equivalence seems to imply Isreal is in the wrong to begin with… well done 👏

[@mobsiesixsixsix9785]

@@steveo4991 You do know you're talking out of your backside right? Israel is in the wrong to begin with. Attacking people just shows you're someone who can't handle disagreement. You do know that the only people who have ever used nuclear weapons were Americans right? So neither of these are false equivalencies. If anyone has Lissencephaly it's you and if you knew anything about that subject you'd know most people die before they are ten. Given you're around 8 it's possible you have it. ps it helps if you can spell Israel...... You don't seem so simple if you can spell words......

[@marlenebutler5238]

Dangerous labour

[@dm32904]

its the sort of thing truss would come up with, and another halfwit would repeat

[@zhillaburns1160]

Evil kid starver.

[@tomfinney3416]

lets never forget who have been starving over 5 million kids for over 14 years ,

[@stringer-ik1pc]

Funny when he was jeremy corbyns right hand man ,he thought differently.

[@Lee_303]

He knew exactly what he was doing. Tory stepping on other people to get on.

[@archvaldor]

He thought the same: I will say anything to get in power.

[@roysimpson9711]

Tony Blair told him he could do it .

[@CRAIGTEMPLATEXCHRIST]

He is a PUPPET not a politician

[@totalcreativegaming6681]

Correction, a Muppet

[@oneoflokis]

Israel's puppet!

[@HarryLagman]

He couldn’t even push the button to get Saville arrested, I wouldn’t trust him with the buttons on a vending machine.

[@ANGRYTRUMP2024]

NOBODY WILL WIN WITH NUKES!! 💀💀💀

[@jon-gz4ed]

any thing for votes must be desperate

[@george6977]

If the US launches nuclear missiles, it makes little difference whether the UK does or not.

[@AlexxxxxSaysHi]

You know its quite unlikely the US would retaliate to a concise nuclear strike unless on its own territory right? Nuclear war is the absolute last option and someone stupid like Russia will try to find the limits somewhere so jiving your own deterrent no katter how small atleast prevents you from being the first testing ground.

[@dm32904]

i think uk is first on the list poland too close, prove to the us they will use them like an example

[@timwoodger7896]

These career politicians are all morally corrupt! Vote independent and get these crooks out of our democracy!!

[@stephenmcgreevy9650]

They all say they would push the button but complain when others say the same

[@seanlawlor7918]

This man’s a maniac

[@danielcooke9974]

Bit or raid?

[@raynicholl4446]

Aye,and then he would head for a bunker,these people will never be above ground if this happens,,,,so brave

[@SLzChupa]

Those who seek to represent the people need to possess the credentials worthy of their station. No longer should we suffer under the weight of incompetence and nepotism. Our elected officials must be held to the highest standards, accountable to the very people they serve.

[@Jase29]

He'd bloody U turn after pushing the button.

[@gingerjessy]

Rumour is Diane Abbot is going to be responsible for the numerical codes.

[@Neil-me4bu]

Were in safe hands then she would never remember them

[@threedoodles]

Why the hell are you bringing Diane Abbott into this? What about Starmer and his warmongering?

[@dm32904]

thats for biden to work out

[@MyLiam22]

Starmer = Grooming gang protector

[@kenhardy8405]

Starmer will Change his mind in a couple of weeks, he changes policies like he changes his Socks. On a Regular Basis.

[@stevedavis2541]

It is comforting to know that he will sign our death warrent with the press of a button when he disagrees with elites in other countries.😢

[@tatata1543]

Keir Starmer, tough guy. Unless he’s dealing with the Daily Mail, there he folds like a cheap suit.

[@LivingOnaPrayer123]

If Putin herd him say this, he wud nearly see it as a declaration of war against him 😂

[@magusl9628]

Truss said the same thing and she was the PM, Putin knows what kind of people he's up against in the west.

[@jamesdonaghy9143]

How would Kier manage to use nukes and still live up to the law against indiscriminate force? Is he already in violation of that law by this admission?

[@keith8609]

🤡 the rest of us live in the real world

[@jamesdonaghy9143]

@keith8609 Hi Keith, I know what your saying here, I'm an idealist and you're a realist, right? But war is a very different world from where the rule of war holds sway. I'm guessing you live exclusively outside the world of war, like me. If so, perhaps we look to the Crimea with horror, as scenes from Pashendale and the Somme are being played out in Europe backyard, in the 21st C. I live in a world whose peace is threatened by Russia and by the IDF, and nukes are no kind of a solution to any of that since they both have nukes. Kier closed down any dissent against the IDF genocide and he has basically just given support for any nuclear option Putin or BB may be considering. Or is this not the world you live in?

[@keith8609]

@@jamesdonaghy9143 But would Putin have invaded Ukraine if Ukraine had nuclear weapons I don't think so that is the deterrent value of nuclear weapons

[@jamesdonaghy9143]

@keith8609 Plenty of countries oppose this war, and Russia ignores them despite their almighty nukeability. Nukes don't settle arguments, they didn't make any difference in the Kosovo war or stop Hamas on the 7th October despite Israel's illegal nuclear deterrent. Don't rely on nukes in place of international law. Any country who wants to trade with us should have to sign up to nonagression pacts. Law with teeth is the best we can do. The trouble is the UK doesn't want to give up war options, even when they are the ones doing the invading, like Iraq.

[@12245MR]

I don’t think he knows what he is talking about

[@Neil-me4bu]

Hes about as scary as Diana Abbott with a calculator

[@JTV84]

i don't think she even knows how to use one.

[@threedoodles]

​@@JTV84 Good job you can then. Leave the woman alone. This is about Starmer.

[@StratsRUs]

Drop the hate

[@mobsiesixsixsix9785]

@@JTV84 My my, aren't you a hateful little creature.

[@_Somsnosa_]

Haha woman calculator politics

[@ehnowthen]

Ah, the genius of Sir Keith strikes again.

[@gasmonkey932]

1,77 m subscriber's watching fake itv news on hear lol

[@PelinalDidNothingWrong]

Here*

[@hugoboss5895]

I bet them lot in number 10 don’t even know where the button is even located.

[@msjapan112]

What happened to Keir? Doesn't sound like him.

[@jamesdegriz]

Theres little chance of it actually working so why worry?

[@danuk2136]

He didnt even say he'd press the button..he simply implied he'd defend the country... he's still got my vote

[@aerodynamic3037]

He's not for the uk.......

[@deanboardman2342]

Thus from a man who was scared to prosecute Jimmy Saville. 😂😂 the only buttons starmer pushes is the english people 😂😂😂😂

[@healtheworldnow]

He needs serious help

[@davidrowley9513]

The main enemy is within the country.

[@MichaelShawcross]

Would you be prepared to destroy the world? Keir Starmer: "Yes, of course. It's the only logical conclusion."

[@getheroutofthetruck]

There's not much of a country left to defend.

[@macklee6837]

1:22 lol why is Starmer using Tate's hand gesture?

[@person_1473]

He doesn't get it if there was a nuclear attack he can be safe in a bunker but us the working class have to suffer

[@adivarso8175]

He'd happily let the air burn at 4000 degrees while he hides away.

[@goodmusicneverdies1302]

Every day i am less and less impressed by the current labour "offering".. 💩

[@peterchapman3740]

He dont no what a woman is ,dont think he would ,hes full of well we no

[@beewa8840]

All I hear is, he would push the button if Britain is losing.

[@noahmcvay1281]

This segment fails to mention one crucial fact: the Prime Minister is not at the head of the Armed Forces, the King is. An order to deploy nuclear arsenal unilaterally isn't given by whomever is Prime Minister. It's made in writing by the Sovereign on the nomination of the Prime Minister of the day. ("Nomination" as opposed to "advice" because under such circumstances the Prime Minister's request would be a non-binding one that the reigning monarch can refuse.) This scenario, however, is unlikely given it contravenes international laws to which the UK, as a founding NATO member, is a party. The more likely scenario would occur in response to an enemy nuclear strike, ex post facto, whereupon a nuclear release would be executed by the commanding officers of the four British ballistic missile submarines in accordance with the Prime Minister's "letters of last resort". Nevertheless, the Prime Minister still has to consult the reigning monarch before transmitting the letters of last resort because supreme command and control over the Armed Forces ultimately vests in the Sovereign. Thus, it's in the King's purview to encourage and warn on any deployment of nuclear arsenal and, in particularly dire circumstances, to prevent unlawful use of nuclear weapons. Long story short, Britons shouldn't worry too much about their nuclear weapons arrangements. The UK effectively has a system of checks and balances between the Sovereign and Prime Minister to contain the risk of abuse of power. You should be more concerned about the legal construct we Americans have in place to regulate the deployment of our nuclear arsenal - i.e., whomever is POTUS has the ability to singlehandedly incinerate the entire globe with the touch of a button. Utterly terrifying.

[@immicrypto3634]

Another war criminal

[@Getty400]

Kier has the charisma of a baked potato .

[@JosephB-tv7gf]

Half baked

[@gailearai]

Why doesn't he admit his own failings, lack of vision, lack of ideas, lack of pernsonality...

[@rossholmes9865]

He point blank refused to simply say “yes“ twice when asked if he would push the button in retaliation to an attack on the uk and just reiterated that deterrence is only of use if you’re prepared to use it , what does that tell you .

[@bartchelin]

What if they through just a stone at us?

[@angelm6497]

And as a disabled veteran who was screened out of their Veterans benefits, I most certainly do not recommended thst anyone put on a uniform to defend this country. Once your iinjuried, and by them, the actions of idiotic superiors, your written off discarded and left to fight for compensation.Told your Complex PTSD is your personality not the trauma of military service.

[@wfm445]

They're all insane

[@sidneybell64]

Starmer can't be trusted on anything

[@forpeace8375]

Warmonger

[@Sigma.6]

Exactly why he's not fit for office.

[@justinday5961]

He talks like he’s just done a fat line of the marching powder!

[@obisan666]

Lol! Probably has

[@user-oz2xf8pj5c]

His Conservative, in labour clothing

[@jaewonmoon2970]

Push the button? for what?

[@alanfrost4661]

Next weeks statement will be different

[@lionroar26]

He aint it using it for UK. He'll use it for Tel Aviv.

[@pt4005]

Cringe. He is just saying what he wants the people to hear. Maybe tell us some of your policies and how you plan to fix things

[@songscoops4205]

Starmer,Rayner and Lammy will have a toss up...😂

[@INFINITY-oe4is]

Alright let's calm down humanity! Too many people in charge with big egos!

[@richardduplessis1090]

Would he push the button as a matter of self defence if to so was an act of suicide? Labour Logic at its best. LOL

[@Frank.112]

It doesn't surprise me. Starmer is one who acts without conscience.

[@ImNotDogyDog]

I will still support labour. But that doesn't sound like Keir, What Happend?

[@safirahmed]

Everyone of voting age resident in the UK and opposed to the Tories in the UK should make sure they are registered to vote. There's about 8 million people in the UK not registered to vote and they also need valid Photo Voter ID to vote. 16 April 2024 is the final date to register for local and Mayoral elections. Registration is possible online, information can be found at Gov (UK).

[@keifer7813]

Any politician that undermines our defence is not worth taking seriously. I don't like Starmer but at least he's being realistic here instead of Corbyn who is too much of a pacifist to fight back if we are attacked

[@tonybreward8678]

Probably use it against his own people us knowing him , No guts and a kneeler, No politician should ever take the knee, And definitely never panic and threaten the speaker.

[@ce1834]

What the use of a nuclear deterrent if you say you'll never use it? 😂Comments full of bots, good to have an opposition that is serious is about our defence

[@Carusus1]

Mutual assured annihilation is now official Labour policy?

[@ScottChegg6502]

Pushing buttons means retaliatory button pushing 😁

[@hanselmansell7555]

Especialy if it was heading for Palastine.

[@joepublic4909]

He`d need to make them functional first. 😂🤨😂

[@chrismcauley8908]

The UK is doomed. RIP 🪦

[@techtinkerin]

Problem is you have to know whom to retaliate against. Armageddon will not come with a friendly note saying who gave it to you.

[@frdxefjdrk]

Average neoliberal.

[@resurgam75]

I see what you are Stamner 😈

[@forlatagate1]

Political leaders should not be allowed anywhere near any red button, they're insane

[@Jack-pu4rf]

He really couldn't press anyone's buttons including his wife's, he is incapable of making a decision on anything, let alone the most important thing in the world that must be made in minutes, he really isn't that man he's a liability.

[@MaboPete]

Starmer has slipped some cogs - he should be locked up in a secure unit.

[@BrendanGeesonOfficial]

Hope he just dug his own situation into the ground with this. When will people realise voting either labour or conservatives is not doing any good for anything. Give someone else a chance.

[@LeonDegrelle.z]

came on bots where is the tory are bad bull 😂😂😂

[@Rambobambo007]

Spineless starmer can't even remember what side hes on

[@Neil-me4bu]

This will not end well

[@thefella131]

You think hes going to say No ?

[@MichaelLewis-bh1wr]

He couldn't push a pram

[@WildBill-py6vn]

There is no stronger reason to keep this lunatic out of power

[@lornadouglas7887]

No he wouldnt dont make me laugh.

[@edc8388]

For MAD to work all of the potential button pushers on both sides of any argument have to be completely sane, looking around the world today you will be hard pressed to find some that even come close to sane.

[@sp34277]

funny they can only brag about a program that’s still a work in progress only so long as the us still has nukes 😂