New polling shows defence has become a major political battleground, with voters expressing growing concern over Britain’s military readiness and trust in Labour falling sharply.
Kemi Badenoch has emerged as the most trusted political leader on defence as a fresh poll highlights growing public anxiety over Britain’s armed forces and military spending.
The survey found that only 28 per cent of voters trust Labour on defence, compared with 33 per cent who trust the Conservatives and 30 per cent who back Reform UK on the issue.
Among individual leaders, Mrs Badenoch recorded the highest trust rating at 32 per cent, ahead of Nigel Farage on 30 per cent, Andy Burnham on 29 per cent and Sir Keir Starmer on 25 per cent.
The figures come after a major political row over defence funding, following the resignation of former Defence Secretary John Healey amid concerns over the level of investment available to rebuild Britain’s military capability.
The dispute has intensified pressure on Labour over its approach to national security, with opponents arguing that Britain faces growing threats while the armed forces remain under financial strain.
The polling also suggests defence is becoming a higher priority among voters.
When asked which areas should receive greater public spending priority, 33 per cent selected defence and the armed forces — a 13-point rise compared with May.
Nearly half of those surveyed, 47 per cent, said defence spending should increase even if it required higher borrowing, increased taxes or reduced spending elsewhere.
That figure represents a 10-point rise in just one month, suggesting a significant shift in public attitudes towards military investment.
The findings add to wider concerns over Labour’s standing with voters.
The proportion of people saying they trust Labour “not very much” or “not at all” has risen from 48 per cent in May 2024 to 60 per cent in the latest polling.
The defence debate comes as Britain faces questions over its future military strategy, NATO commitments and the ability of the armed forces to respond to a more unstable global security environment.
With defence now climbing the political agenda, the issue is set to become a key battleground as parties compete to convince voters they can protect Britain in an increasingly uncertain world.
Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge said: “These are dangerous times. We are now confronted by an axis of authoritarian states on an aggressive quest to tear down the international order British security depends on. Despite this, Labour are not prepared to finance our armed forces, the Defence Investment Plan is 10 months late, and the Government has no plan for hitting 3 per cent of GDP on defence this Parliament.
“Only the Conservatives have a plan to cut welfare to fund defence. We would restore the two-child benefit cap to grow the size of the army, establish a Sovereign Defence Fund to accelerate Britain’s war readiness and spend £400million of the money Labour had planned to waste on the Chagos surrender deal to speed up the building of new frigates.”
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: “We are in a new era of threat, which demands a new era of defence. This Government is delivering a generational increase in defence spending – hitting 2.6% of GDP in 2027 and investing over £270billion across this Parliament ensuring no return to the hollowed out armed forces of the past.
“The Strategic Defence Review sets out our path to warfighting readiness – creating a new hybrid Navy with world-class submarines and cutting-edge warships, investing in air and missile defence, munitions, and increasing the size of the Army.
“The Defence Investment Plan will be crucial to ensuring our personnel have the kit and technology they require. As the Prime Minister has said, we will publish before the NATO summit next month.”
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