Former Conservative MP Bob Seely has launched a scathing attack on Labour's handling of defence spending, declaring that Britain is "categorically not ready for war" in comments made to GB News.

The former MP expressed deep concern about the government's approach to military preparedness, arguing that current funding levels leave the nation vulnerable.

His criticism comes as defence spending has emerged as a critical issue following decades of reduced military budgets since the Cold War ended.

Former Tory MP and soldier Bob Seely told GB News: "Britain is categorically not ready for war. The Strategic Defence Review was not a bad document, but there is no mechanism to fund.

Bob Seely said that Britain is not ready for war

"And clearly the government is massively dragging its feet about increasing funding.

"And they seem to be working under the delusion that our enemies are going to wait for us to be ready and play to our strengths and not our weaknesses.

"And this whole talk about war already is just absolute nonsense. And I think it is absolutely dishonest.

"I think Healey is a good defence secretary, but I think he has a dreadful cabinet and a dreadful prime minister around him."

Successive governments have redirected the defence spending dividend towards other priorities, including tax cuts and health service funding.

The current review appears to narrow Britain's military ambitions, focusing primarily on the Euro-Atlantic area rather than maintaining a global presence.

John Healey defended Labour's defence review, claiming it is the move is the 'first in a generation'GB News

This marks a departure from the previous review's emphasis on establishing Britain as a power player in Asian waters, where a Royal Navy aircraft carrier is currently deployed amid rising tensions between China and Taiwan.

The spending review is being described as potentially the most significant in decades, suggesting a fundamental reassessment of Britain's defence priorities and capabilities.

The Defence Secretary, John Healey has revealed the need for a “new era for defence”, stating that “hollowed-out armed forces, procurement waste and neglected morale cannot continue.”

John Healey says a defence investment plan, described as a new investment framework, will be published in the autumn.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced an expansion of the UK’s submarine programme, including plans to build 12 new attack submarines, in response to what the government described as “rapidly increasing threats.”

The government claimed the investment would create 30,000 new jobs, while Defence Secretary John Healey said a new nuclear warhead programme would help make the UK “secure at home and strong abroad.”

Starmer said he hoped defence spending would rise to three per cent of GDP by 2034, but stopped short of committing to a specific timeframe until funding plans could be confirmed.