According to a statement, Sir Keir Starmer visited Swindon-based defence technology company Stark, where he met staff, North Swindon MP Will Stone and delivered a speech focused on national security, defence investment and the role of British manufacturing in supporting the Armed Forces.
During a visit to the town, Keir Starmer addressed employees at Stark and thanked them for their contribution to national security.
“They can’t do their job without you,”
he told workers, referring to members of the Armed Forces.
“You are first class, and need to be first class, because they’re going to be relying on what you’re doing every single day.”
He described the work being carried out in Swindon as “really important”.
Employees were contributing directly to “the defence of your country, of our country, of our European and other allies”, he said.
Speaking about the importance of visiting firms in person, Sir Keir said: “There is no substitute for coming to see it for yourselves.”
He concluded by outlining what he called his central responsibility as Prime Minister.
“My first duty, the duty above everything else, is to keep our country safe, and to keep our people safe.”
The visit comes as the Government looks to increase defence spending and expand domestic manufacturing capacity in response to growing international tensions.
Sir Keir said increased investment would create opportunities for companies such as Stark and the wider supply chain.
“It will mean more work for you and other people like you around the country,” he told employees.
He added:
“I’m really determined that as we increase defence spend, what goes alongside that is good, well-paid, skilled jobs in this country.”
It also follows several significant developments within Swindon’s growing defence sector. Earlier this week, the town hosted representatives from Brave1, Ukraine’s government-backed defence technology cluster, alongside local firms and North Swindon MP Will Stone. The visit underlined links between Swindon businesses and Ukraine’s defence innovation network.
Portuguese drone manufacturer Tekever is also progressing plans for a major manufacturing and research facility in Swindon. The development is expected to create hundreds of skilled jobs and further establish the town as a hub for advanced aerospace and defence technology.
Will Stone MP added:
“The governments commitment to raising defence spending to 2.6% of GDP is a real chance to spread opportunity across the country to places like Swindon. We have grasped this opportunity and the Prime Minister’s visit today re-affirms my mission to make Swindon the drone hub of the UK.”
Swindon has traditionally been associated with its railway heritage, automotive production and logistics. In recent years, however, defence technology, autonomous systems and advanced electronics have become an increasingly prominent part of the local economy.
By choosing a Swindon company as the setting for remarks on national security and defence investment, the Prime Minister’s visit signals the town’s growing importance within the sector.
While security considerations often require discretion, the absence of local media meant there was no opportunity to directly ask how national defence policy and spending plans could affect Swindon and its workforce.
The visit nonetheless marks another milestone in Swindon’s evolving economic identity, placing the town firmly within the national conversation on defence and advanced manufacturing.
