Burnham Must Pass Moscow Test as Well as Makerfield Test, Says Former Armed Forces Chief
The former head of the UK's armed forces has warned that Andy Burnham โ widely tipped to be the next Labour leader and prime minister โ must prove himself on the global stage as well as domestically, with a so-called Moscow test to complement his well-publicised Makerfield test.
Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, former Chief of the Defence Staff, told the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg that whoever takes over from Sir Keir Starmer will need to operate almost like a wartime prime minister given current global security threats.
Burnham has previously said new legislation must pass a Makerfield test โ the constituency he was newly elected to represent โ but Sir Tony said a Moscow test is equally essential, asking whether the UK looks like a strong Nato member, a credible nuclear power, and a reliable American ally.
He called for substantial investment in the armed forces, which he described as currently too bare.
His intervention came as the government prepared to publish its Defence Investment Plan ahead of the Nato summit in Turkey on 7 July.
Defence Secretary John Healey had resigned last week, arguing the draft plan fell well short of requirements, with reports suggesting the Ministry of Defence requested an extra ยฃ28 billion but was offered only ยฃ10 billion.
Healey's successor Dan Jarvis said Burnham understood the complexity of global security and would make national security his first priority.
Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, former Chief of the Defence Staff, told the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg that whoever takes over from Sir Keir Starmer will need to operate almost like a wartime prime minister given current global security threats.
Burnham has previously said new legislation must pass a Makerfield test โ the constituency he was newly elected to represent โ but Sir Tony said a Moscow test is equally essential, asking whether the UK looks like a strong Nato member, a credible nuclear power, and a reliable American ally.
He called for substantial investment in the armed forces, which he described as currently too bare.
His intervention came as the government prepared to publish its Defence Investment Plan ahead of the Nato summit in Turkey on 7 July.
Defence Secretary John Healey had resigned last week, arguing the draft plan fell well short of requirements, with reports suggesting the Ministry of Defence requested an extra ยฃ28 billion but was offered only ยฃ10 billion.
Healey's successor Dan Jarvis said Burnham understood the complexity of global security and would make national security his first priority.