SIR Keir Starmer has dismissed suggestions that US President Joe Biden is too old for the job – ahead of their first meeting at the White House today.
The new Prime Minister rejected claims that his 80 age restriction in the House of Lords should have any influence on the presidency race.
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Biden is under increasing pressure to resign after a dismal performance last month in the CNN TV debate against Donald Trump.
Several senior Democrats called on their candidate to withdraw from the race and elect someone younger.
Sir Keir said his age limits for the House of Lords were being introduced to restrict the number of peers – and not specifically for age reasons.
He said: “In terms of the age of the House of Lords, the simple fact is that our House of Lords is huge. It is the second biggest political chamber in the world. “I think only the Chinese have a bigger political chamber. than our House of Lords, we must reduce it.
“That’s the main reason for retirement at 80. You can see why it needs to be done. We have over 800 members in the House of Lords, it’s simply too big. We need to reduce it.
“So it doesn’t reflect on how other elected representatives are chosen in other countries, it has to do with the size of the House of Lords.”
Meanwhile, the new prime minister will continue to strengthen the “special relationship” as he seeks to frustrate opponents at their later meeting.
President Biden and Sir Keir will spend time talking about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and tensions in the Middle East.
It is the first time the two have met, although they had their first conversation last Friday, hours after he became PM.
The US President was aboard the Air Force once when they spoke.
Speaking on board his flight while traveling to the US for the NATO summit, he said: “I’ve already had a phone call with President Biden.
“I want to follow up on that, this is obviously a very special relationship that we have between the UK and the US.
“We have, within this, a special aspect when it comes to defense and security for obvious reasons, including our commitment to NATO.
“We make a unique contribution in Europe to NATO and therefore it is an excellent opportunity to speak to the President about how we take forward the important work at this summit.”
The meeting comes at a time when the prime minister is under enormous pressure to increase defense spending.
Philip Ingram, a former British military intelligence colonel, told The Times that the prime minister is “playing with fire” by delaying the timetable for the walk.
He said: “The threat is now and it will take years to repair the army, our ammunition stocks, prepare the RAF and navy.”
This morning Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard insisted on a new strategy analysis in defense spending, starting next week, will establish a path to 2.5 percent.
The review will consider Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, instability in the Middle East and the rise of authoritarian countries such as China and Iran.
It will also analyze British military capabilities in the face of growing threats.
Pollard told Times Radio: “This will be NATO’s first strategic defense review, a focus on our unwavering commitment to the North Atlantic, to the Europe area, to ensure that we are keeping not only the UK safe, but also our safe allies.
Starmer could boost the Armed Forces
By Harry Goodwin
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said last night that the UK has a “cast iron” commitment to spend 2.5% of GDP on defence.
He said increasing defense spending could help NATO respond to threats around the world.
Sir Keir will launch the new government’s Strategic Defense Review next week.
The review will consider how the British Armed Forces should change to face threats such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
This could open the door to an increase in the size of the military, sources told Telegraph.
But Sir Keir refused to set a timetable on when Britain will reach the 2.5% target.
“Because if we don’t support Ukraine and if they don’t win, Russia won’t stop there.”
In the US, Sir Keir will tell NATO’s 75th anniversary meeting that he is determined to stand up to our adversaries.
The prime minister is expected to say at the summit – his first trip abroad in office – that increased spending will safeguard the alliance.
Sir Keir said: “There is no more important duty for me as Prime Minister than keeping the people of our country safe.
“At a time when we face multiple threats internally and externally, we must be sure that we are ready to defend ourselves.
“That’s why I have immediately ordered a major review that will secure Britain’s defenses for the future.
“Working with our most important partners around the world, our Strategic Defense Review will ensure the UK sends a clear message to those who seek to undermine peace and democracy: they will not succeed.”
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
