Britain is dependent on US weapons. We now face a terrible choice

Sander Tordoir, at the Centre for European Reform, says Britain should now look to co-operate with key allies such as Germany, France and Italy who are in the same boat. Along with the EU they have pledged to unlock hundreds of billions of euros for domestic defence spending.

And although they have found it difficult and slow to ramp up production of key munitions such as 155mm Nato-standard artillery shells for Ukraine, Tordoir points out that Europe collectively “outproduces the United States in steel, vehicles, ships, and civil aircraft”.

He believes Starmer should use his current opening to work more closely with allies across the Channel – and temporarily park other thorny issues such as fishing rights.

“The way the US has used its leverage over Ukraine is a warning for all of Europe,” Tordoir adds.

“There’s definitely a case for the UK to become more plugged into the European defence supply chain and for that to be coordinated in a way that benefits both sides.

“Can we not talk about fish, and instead talk about guns?”