Prime Minister Rishi Sunak underscored the escalating risk of nuclear conflict, criticising opposition while proposing increased defence spending, amidst electoral struggles and legal rulings.
On 14 May 2024, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak delivered a speech emphasizing the heightened risk of nuclear conflict, the highest since the Cuban Missile Crisis, and discussed the UK’s exposure to threats from what he termed an “axis of authoritarian states,” including Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea. The speech took place amid declining poll numbers for his Conservative Party, which trails Labour by more than 20 points. Sunak, focusing on national security, criticized Labour’s approach, particularly its effects on the country’s safety and proposed raising defense spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2030.
In the same speech, ahead of a general election expected in the latter half of the year, Sunak aimed to assert his party’s commitment to the future in contrast to Labour, promising transformative changes over the next five years.
Additionally, the speech occurred shortly after a ruling from the Belfast High Court that deemed the UK government’s Rwanda migration scheme inapplicable in Northern Ireland, adding to challenges faced by Sunak’s administration.
The day also included significant parliamentary activity; MPs have reversed a decision allowing only MPs charged with serious offences to be barred from Parliament, now enabling this action at the point of arrest. This follows debates over the balance between maintaining parliamentary integrity and ensuring fair legal process.
