Andy Burnham, widely considered a leading contender for future Labour leadership, may lack a conventional defence policy background, a senior Labour figure recently noted. This observation, made not as a criticism but a statement of fact, comes at a time when defence spending and national security are prominent concerns, following former Prime Minister Keir Starmer's resignation amid internal government disagreements on the issue.
While Starmer was recognised internationally for his commitment to Ukraine's defence, some European leaders may now express apprehension that his successor might prioritise domestic matters over NATO and wider European security. However, an alternative perspective suggests that Burnham's experience, particularly as Mayor of Greater Manchester, could position him as a transformative leader in defence, precisely because his expertise lies outside the traditional foreign policy establishment.
The prevailing view in many Western nations, including the UK, often frames defence as an external concern, focusing on military deployments and international alliances. Yet, the UK is already facing sustained attacks, not from conventional military means, but through a decade of Russian psychological operations, bot farms, cyberattacks, sabotage, and attempts to influence political processes. Even high-profile political figures have been targeted, including former Prime Minister Starmer, who faced a campaign of online vitriol and had properties linked to him set alight in what counter-terrorism police described as fitting a pattern of Russian state-backed sabotage.
This 'hybrid warfare' seeks to erode societal solidarity, trust, and national identity, making a country vulnerable to further attacks by turning citizens against each other. Effective hybrid defence, therefore, must begin domestically. The resilience of citizens and communities is argued to be a crucial determinant of national strength, irrespective of the percentage of GDP allocated to traditional defence spending.
The experience of Ukraine since the 2022 invasion serves as a compelling example. Despite being conventionally outmatched, Ukraine's society mobilised, demonstrating remarkable resilience that bolstered its military defence. This included political leaders boosting morale, villagers impeding troop movements, and civilians establishing ad-hoc intelligence networks and logistics chains. Engineers, working in homes and garages, developed innovations with commercial drones that are now significantly impacting the conflict, showcasing how community-level resilience can foster a thriving defence innovation sector and turn the tide of a war.
This perspective suggests that Burnham's proven ability to champion domestic resilience and fight for his city's interests against central government could be a significant asset in developing a comprehensive national defence strategy that acknowledges and counters modern hybrid threats. His focus on local communities and their ability to withstand pressure could be precisely the skill set NATO urgently needs.