God. Sometimes I wonder if we're doomed to repeat history's darkest chapters. As we approach the 80th anniversary of VE Day, our Prime Minister seems to be thinking the same thing.
When "Never Again" Feels Like "Here We Go Again"
Sir Keir Starmer is marking VE Day with a stark reminder that World War Two isn't some dusty chapter in a history book. It's a warning. A blueprint of what happens when good people look away for too long.
I watched those Ukrainian soldiers marching in Monday's London parade. Surreal doesn't begin to cover it. These men, fighting for their country's very existence in 2025, standing shoulder to shoulder with our veterans who thought they'd ended this madness 80 years ago.
Starmer gets it. He told that war history podcast (you know, "We Have Ways Of Making You Talk" - my dad's obsessed with it) something that stuck with me: "The reminder with teh Ukrainian contingent in the procession, that the idea that this was all just history and it doesn't matter now, somehow is completely wrong."
Chilling, when you think about it.
Cash, Commitment, and a Cold War Throwback
Speaking at the London Defence Conference today, our PM's not just reflecting - he's acting. Britain's now spending more on defence than at any point since the Cold War. (Remember those duck-and-cover drills? My mum still talks about them).
In his speech, Starmer will lay it out: "Britain's victory was not just a victory for Britain. It was a victory for good against the assembled forces of hatred, tyranny and evil. Now, as you know, there are people who would happily do likewise today."
Feels like he's talking directly to Putin without naming him. Smart move... or maybe too cautious? I'm torn.
Wait—Is Defence Actually Good for the Economy?
Here's where it gets interesting. Starmer's pitching defence spending as an economic win. A "defence dividend" he calls it. Not just tanks and planes, but jobs and innovation.
He's announcing a £563million contract to Rolls-Royce to maintain our Typhoon fighter jets. That's hundreds of jobs in Bristol and beyond. Coming right after those StormShroud drones they unveiled last week (electronic warfare that protects RAF pilots - proper sci-fi stuff).
The Unity Plea
Listen. I've been covering politics since 2018, and I've grown pretty cynical about calls for "national unity." Usually code for "stop criticizing me." But this feels different.
Starmer's calling for "a national effort" - bringing together "the state, business and society" to pursue both security and prosperity.
My editor bet me £20 I couldn't write this piece without mentioning the defence budget controversies. I just lost that bet. Because while the increased spending is welcome, some military experts I spoke with yesterday questioned if it's enough given the multiple threats we're facing. "Too little, too late" was the exact phrase one retired general texted me. Ouch.
But maybe that's the point. After decades of peace dividends and military cutbacks, we're playing catch-up in a world that suddenly feels very dangerous again.
So What Now?
As we honor the 80th anniversary of VE Day, there's something deeply unsettling about needing to relearn its lessons so soon.
The greatest generation is nearly gone. My grandfather, who landed at Normandy, passed in 2019. I wish I'd asked him more questions while I had the chance.
Now it's on us.
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