Starmer on defence: 'That's what you'd expect from a serious government'

We sit down with Prime Minister Keir Starmer to talk about his commitment of 2.5% of GDP on defence and tackling the crisis in UK prisons.
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[@bertnijhof5413]

The reporter talks more than the prime minister.

[@PhatStax]

Why ask him a question if you won't let him answer?

[@theamazingbatboy]

It was weird to see a channel 4 reporter flagrantly try and direct the interview like this.

[@SRSR-pc8ti]

He's too used to interrogating evasive tories.

[@facehugger3]

Because its channel 4 .

[@Valehass]

@@theamazingbatboy You mean hold a political leader accountable? Yes I agree I was surprised too.

[@562Green]

Let the man speak, maybe we would get to hear the full answer.

[@peterknight7880]

There is a difference between holding a person in office to account and needless aggression which doesn't actually result in useful discourse. Very poor interview style which I felt the Prime Minister actually dealt with quite well.

[@anaguma90]

Awful interviewer asks him a question and then interrupts him constantly while he tries to answer.

[@PettersenLars]

That was a bad interview. Maybe the journalists was too stressed out or had a beer to much - hard to follow his “logic”

[@hypsyzygy506]

Probably worried about the VAT on his kids' private schools.

[@ariea.devalois1564]

This reporter is ridiculous. You can't do anything until you know what the books actually say. Then you make a plan.

[@LilacWolfArt]

Exactly. He’s really annoying and not helpful to any kind of discussion

[@Noel-ji8nm]

​@@LilacWolfArtYou could download the books before the election

[@craigham93]

​@@Noel-ji8nm😂😂😂 download the books 😂😂😂😂😂

[@Noel-ji8nm]

@@craigham93 Labour have been talking bollox, they know the books are easily available to download.

[@craigham93]

@@Noel-ji8nm 😂😂😂😂😂

[@davidcolin6519]

In general, I rate C4 news as being one of the few worth watching. I stopped paying attention to the BBC's "News" long ago. However, I have seen a worrying trend ovger the past couple of months, with poor reporting, belligerent and ill-informed interviewers etc. This was a very poor interview in which the reporter simply didn't let Starmer answer anything and also misrepresented how the OBR and IFS work, as well as the ammount of information they have at their disposal. Maybe your interviewer should learn about the difference betweenn budget and spending plans. It really is that simple. I suspec that Starmer was going to say, if the interviewer had given him the chance "The 2,5% is definite, the WAY that budget is spent is for the review to decide", but we'll never know, because the interviewer clearly thought that the interview was about him. Shame, I'd have liked to hear Starmer's reply.

[@niburu1508]

@david - desperate need for an independent media - Stammers needs to be removed - he is a fake worse than Phoney ( Teflon) Tony.

[@lisaward1596]

Same. Only watched channel 4 news for a few years. Not anymore.!

[@susangarbutt7189]

I think C4 have been watching too much BBC.

[@dawn5227]

Could journalists at least allow people to answer the question before stopping them and moving on. Whats the point in asking questions when journalists dont even want an answer, I think you will find the people want the answers not just the questions.

[@countingcards1208]

He actually handled this quite well

[@hmq9052]

That's because he genuinely wants to do the right thing. He'll make mistakes, but that intention is there. Refreshing isn't it?

[@AlderCones]

particularly at 4:55

[@theamazingbatboy]

Thought so too. Not a Keir Starmer fan generally (he's a bit of a charisma vacuum) but the reporter clearly had an agenda to circle around the same talking points to trip him up and he navigated it with aplomb.

[@Noel-ji8nm]

​@theamazingbatboy That's funny the same thing was said about the previous interview Starmer gave.

[@dawn5227]

​@theamazingbatboy I've never been a Kier Starmer fan. Bit Im liking his style of government because it actually feels like we truly have a government again. I cant remember when that was the case.

[@gaelle4328]

This journalist doesn´t seem to know how administration works, including looking at if the right questions have been asked and is continously interupting not allowing him to answer properly.

[@William38252]

This was serious click bait. The title was about defence but most of the video was about prisons and prison sentencing.

[@niburu1508]

@William - Get him out of there before he does any more damage

[@gmayo777]

Bruh y'all need a new interviewer.

[@th8257]

Speak English

[@brianwindsor6565]

As ever Starmer is calm, completly in control and considered. There were a few times though when he almost smiled and my imagined thoughts were 'what is this tosset on about!'. 😂

[@clarkpatient7950]

This is a shocking interview. Just an ego trip for that interviewer.

[@facehugger3]

Releasing thousands of violent criminals? , it only takes one and an innocent victims life is lost . ? Having a woman in charge of equality or anything else for that matter who cannot even define what a woman is ?

[@ferencmori3114]

The interviewer was terrible... next time if you just let your interviewee talk more than you do, it'd be quite helpful!!!

[@jlevygeo]

Maybe consider drug policy reform?

[@chrismichaelchristodoulide4777]

By sending £3 Billions of the British taxpayer to Ukraine, you wanted Labour you got Labour!!!

[@hholton7245]

100 year defence agreement with Ukraine and no debate in Parliament - it's just like the Tories with no democratic accountability.

[@kinngrimm]

It is rather antagonistic accusing your interview partner of not making serious politics when that man just came into office and then on top of that half the time you interrupt. Again on top of that the reporter acts surprised to find the UK currently in shambles as if anyone could just blank out the past decade of failures equally in leadership personal and their actions. None of which i would want to see in a serious reporter.

[@susangarbutt7189]

Dont forget this new PM voted along for all this shambles of a country.

[@bridget9396]

Wouldn't it be nice to hear our PM giving ironclad commitment to the citizens of the United Kingdom. To ensure diplomacy before war, ensuring money committed to war chests is redirected into rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure and building social cohesion.

[@rynonymouss]

i think starmer comes across very well and reasonable in this interview, i like garry gibbon but i dont think this was a great interview on his part.

[@mup_pet]

Alastair Campbell reckons he's the best. This was a dire performance, and the comments echo this.

[@CoffehKittehGrey]

Pre Election: We wont know until were in government. Post Election: We wont know until we've "looked at the books" despite the fact there are no books, the OBR, IFS and BoE have got all the numbers as has anyone else who cares to look. No plan. No clue. No mandate.

[@puremoore]

Here you go UK eat some more taxes to feed the industrial military complex

[@billymallett297]

Labour are going to do great things

[@ehnowthen]

For the people of Calais

[@Cazgirl-hq4hi]

@@ehnowthenoh fgs ,banging the drum ,u sound like farage..who incidentLy can’t do as much as he saids.

[@jak6326]

For Israel . . .

[@iansmith8247]

@@Cazgirl-hq4hiStarmer aligns himself with Davos and the WEF and the agenda 21/30 charter! Do you understand what that that is..

[@waheex]

his dad was a toolmaker don't you know

[@JupiterThunder]

Strategic Defence Review = always more defence cuts.

[@facehugger3]

Does he mean like Sam Melia the sticker guy who copped 2 years for something that wasn't even illegal? And people who have been jailed for mean tweets or offending somebodys feelings? Leaving bacon at a mosque and that type of thing? Should they really be in prison at all?

[@samukis272]

Channel4 being disingenuous and catch-you-out as always. Give the guy a chance. Surprisingly well handled by the PM.

[@nattytom6238]

Surly, he needs to know how much money is available . Four days, and you are holding him to account?

[@sandrawilcox4718]

British forces ie army navy raf havent got a pot to p in

[@ericharrison3405]

They will have to run on no oil as drilling has been stopped

[@ramstrong1961]

Glenn Greenwald; What the UK and French elections mean for establishment politics in Europe

[@iainmackenzieUK]

Not a very helpful interview. You need to hold the Prime minister accountable but give him chance to speak. You seem to be grasping for sound bites rather than digging down into the essence of the facts.

[@alst4817]

I am your brother from Wolverhampton. our football team desperately needs help because Neto and Hwang can’t understand each other. Please help us if you can. God bless

[@gorgeousginger8405]

Aye so C4, this needs to stop. The comments are full of basiclly how bad this interview was,either not on the topic of Defence or how the interview was conducted. As a channel on TV it's the same style and interviewees are cut off mid sentence even. You need to stop. Your channel has already lost a lot of its reputation due to things like this.

[@markmac9515]

is the commitment 'set in stone'?

[@StraightWhiteGuy.]

Get him out, hes been there a week.... Hes screwed

[@user-jg4oc6oh9x]

This man doesn't care about groomers.He supports them

[@CDLANEY1520]

He does....he worships Brussels and Tehran...

[@johnthompson7105]

Import all the worlds filth what could go wrong

[@echonovember2037]

Please get another interviewer he is high on something

[@hawsrulebegin7768]

Every comment here points out the interviewers technique. Maybe Ch4 will read them all and pull their socks up.

[@JamesJohnAgar]

Not sure, to be fair defence is the last policy I’m interested in at this moment. Should be about their economy, nhs, housing, education first!

[@jak6326]

Agree but we have Starmer paying for bombs in Ukraine, Reeves who won't build social housing but 'affordable housing' and Streeting gleefully slicing up our NHS for his private healthcare donors so we've no chance. It's all about power and money and there'll be no change with this shower, they lie like their lobby group.

[@danguee1]

Bad interview. Not a serious interview. Ask challenging questions - that's your job. But a) have some logic in questions to a government that's been in power for just a week b) let him answer! Also - good journalism is not just about being disruptive and challenging - it's also about teasing out the truth. Sometimes good journalism should be about teasing out good news...

[@UnleashedCode]

Awful interviewer.... I would not have had the patience with him. Starmer did a grand job not that he was allowed to speak much.

[@geoffroberts1131]

Watch The Grab a documentary about the globsl food shortage catastrophe and those creating it. Right now. Take courage and just watch the trailer

[@robertsmith9810]

NOW IS THE TIME NOT TO SHUT OIL AND GAS FIELDS DOWN as his mate MILLIBAND is going to do ,Starmer is pathetic it is always been someone else is fault man up starmer

[@murraymusic2633]

One week in and yet another 'gotcha!! interview. Boring.

[@majl1000]

He can't.... he has no clue

[@kaybeehymumf1355]

Keir Pharma …. Heaven help us

[@DaleHanson-nw9yc]

Hear Hear

[@Humanity_Hope_]

Why are all Leaders promoting the MIC business? Wouldn't it be better to promote International Diplomacy and Trade?

[@PROJECTPOGO]

Jimmy savilles Lawyer

[@Celticsamuraiblue]

Joke FINISHED union 👎🏻🇬🇧 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿☮️🇪🇺

[@mac7040]

Having already granted an amesty to thousands of failed asylum seekers he has already failed in the defence of this country

[@scottp5199]

@@mac7040 assylum seekers

[@wayneMeredith]

Interesting-reporter trying to pin him down-didn’t get a inch close

[@davidcolin6519]

Reporter didn't pin him down because he wouldn't let him answer. Have to also point out the very beligerent style of questioning and constant interruptions, as well as the factual inaccuracies. After all the OBR and IFS don't actually get to see the books either, it really is literally only the government that sees them. CHANGES in spending are overseen by the oBR and IFS, but the actual state of the books is only seen by the government.

[@Noel-ji8nm]

​@@davidcolin6519Starmer hasn't a clue.

[@bobbadham261]

With a flip n a flop no doubt!!

[@peterjacobs6226]

Another load of tosh he won’t last the course it’s all Bo locks he another waster you will see

[@paazbra]

Boring

[@markmac9515]

Starmer is grandstanding,. On one hand he claims he has been involved in 'talks' for months so he could hit the road running, now he claims he is surprised by what he has now found? Liar.

[@brianlopez8855]

what a woodentop Keith Stalin is.

[@Bennetherway]

Terrible interviewer.

[@LadyLuck8_4]

Vile.

[@PanglossDr]

What a disgraceful interviewer.

[@luliluli1471]

Blah, blah, blah😊😅

[@anthonymichaelwilson8401]

Starmer the strategist lol a Biden clown 🤡

[@Valehass]

Wow Channel 4 actually doing its job? I did not expect C4 to hold Labour accountable.

[@gary437]

great prime minister down to earth

[@richbird6171]

GDP will fall, current spending will become 2.5%.

[@SUBWAYSWITCH]

gay

[@guvnormcfc66]

Wow!!How far is Channel 4 tongue up Starmers sarlacc pit??

[@cherray50]

What a terrible interview of inconsequential questions. You're so much better than this, Channel 4.

[@ehnowthen]

The great reset is starting.

[@codswallop164]

You spelled gay wrong.

[@hmq9052]

​@@codswallop1645 stars for this lad

[@lestrem11]

Bullshit in overdrive. Boris with a better haircut.

[@pablocortando1]

Excellent interview.

[@hourbee5535]

Let me guess: tax increases 😂

[@mattpreece6106]

Reeves ruled that out. It's only the Tories and their rags that have been promoting that idea.

[@hmq9052]

I'll pay more for the NHS and defence. No problem

[@erikaverink8418]

@@hmq9052 I would say first look at the books, and where the tories spended money on. Look at what part of the NHS budget goes to private companies. (This includes cleaning, administration). My guess is there are a lot of black holes where they have spend it.

[@erikaverink8418]

Wasn't that what the Tories did? Highest tax since?

[@mattpreece6106]

@@erikaverink8418 Yes. And freezing the tax bands so long that Pensions nearly got taxed. Then they tried to scare everyone and say that the thing they fked up on would be actually because of Labour.

[@Beedee46]

Looks like the Jellyfish Starmer is enjoying his new found power.

[@hyperbiped9913]

Awful interviewer butted in constantly and already had his own opinion, sack him!

[@GFWFight]

Terrible interview and even worse interviewer

[@tf1202]

Labour is counting the conservative policies and the only difference is face lifts😊

[@alst4817]

I’m not trying to be biased towards the new government here, but surely good policy is good policy? Doesn’t matter where it comes from!

[@tf1202]

@@alst4817 is releasing the prisoners a good policy?! Or increasing your water bills by 44% is a good policy? Or the increase of defence budget while on recession is a good policy?🤔

[@AlderCones]

4:55 "which is that 'THIS' government has left a complete mess" ... The man doesn't even know he's in government...

[@PeterPete]

It's amazing how a person can change so much when they do a different job, next his talking will be imporved just like Brown's hahahaha!!

[@juffjaff]

Such dumb questioning. Stop looking for outrage and investigate.

[@NickMusselle]

Just another Tory interviewing, disingenuous again.

[@paul8409]

He won't.