Europe has to wake up on defence
When the Prime Minister talks about a 'generational challenge' facing Europe in the wake of the war in Ukraine, it could be argued that he is making something of an understatement.
In the reality, the challenge has existed for the past 20 years or so, but Europe's politicians just took it for granted that the Americans would always run to their aid in the event of a major threat to our security.
Governments across Europe, including to some extent the UK, have been woefully negligent at maintaining our defences since the end of the Cold War. It has taken a 'hot war', dangerously close to home, to reveal just how exposed we are.
While we might dislike the manner in which President Trump is seeking to end the war in Ukraine, he is right to say that wealthy European nations have a responsibility to defend their own continent rather than expect the US to pick up the tab.
Defence spending is scarcely a vote winner, and telling people that they may have to tighten their belts is not going to make Sir Keir - or his counterparts in mainland Europe - popular. But it is the right thing to do.
People might baulk at higher taxes and cuts to much-valued services. But the consequences of failing to maintain a credible defence force in these increasingly dangerous times will almost certainly be far greater.
