David Lammy Humiliated as Keir Starmer Slashes Foreign Aid—Just Weeks After His Trump Attack

Keir Starmer, the UK Prime Minister, has recently announced plans to increase defence spending, but the decision has sparked controversy and embarrassment for Foreign Secretary David Lammy.

The funding for this boost in defence will come from significant cuts to the overseas aid budget, a move that has left Lammy in an awkward position.

Reports indicate that Lammy was only informed about the decision hours before Starmer presented it to the Cabinet and the House of Commons, leaving him little time to respond or provide input.

This situation is particularly uncomfortable for Lammy, who has been a vocal advocate for maintaining foreign aid spending. Since 2020, he has overseen the UK’s international development efforts and has consistently argued that foreign aid is a crucial tool for maintaining global influence and stability.

In fact, just two weeks ago, Lammy criticized former US President Donald Trump for proposing similar cuts to America’s foreign aid budget.

At the time, Lammy emphasized the importance of development aid as a form of “soft power” and warned that reducing such funding could create opportunities for countries like China to expand their influence.

Lammy’s past comments have come back to haunt him in light of Starmer’s announcement. In 2021, he strongly condemned the Conservative government under Boris Johnson for cutting the foreign aid budget from 0.7% to 0.5% of GDP. At the time, Lammy described the decision as “mean-spirited” and “Trumpian,” accusing the government of moral failure and damaging Britain’s global reputation.

He even went so far as to say that Johnson would be remembered as the prime minister who abandoned Britain’s role on the world stage.

Now, Lammy finds himself in a difficult position, having to defend a decision that mirrors the policies he once vehemently opposed. In an attempt to reconcile his past stance with the government’s new direction, Lammy has written an op-ed acknowledging the “hard choice” to cut foreign aid while emphasizing the need to prioritize national security.

He has also reiterated the government’s commitment to eventually restoring the aid budget to 0.7% of GDP when economic conditions allow, a promise that was included in Labour’s election manifesto last year.

However, the decision has not been well-received by everyone. Cabinet ministers reportedly expressed concerns during the meeting where Starmer unveiled the plan, and Sarah Champion, a Labour MP and chair of the foreign aid committee, warned that reducing overseas aid could lead to greater global instability.

Critics argue that cutting foreign aid undermines the UK’s ability to address poverty, support development, and maintain its influence on the international stage.

The controversy highlights the challenges of balancing domestic priorities, such as defence and security, with international commitments to development and humanitarian aid.

While Starmer’s government argues that the increase in defence spending is necessary to keep Britain safe, the decision has raised questions about the long-term impact on the country’s global reputation and its ability to address pressing global issues.

As the debate continues, Lammy and his colleagues will face increasing pressure to justify the cuts and demonstrate how they plan to uphold Britain’s role as a leader in international development.