Andrew Pierce has urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to overrule his Chancellor Rachel Reeves on accelerating defence spending increases ahead of crucial talks with Donald Trump this week.
He emphasised that Starmer must assert his authority as "First Lord of the Treasury" to override his Chancellor's position.
This comes as Starmer is weighing up plans to increase military spending from 2.3 to 2.5 per cent of GDP earlier than the previous 2030 target.
One option under consideration would bring forward the boost to 2028, a timeline previously advocated by former Conservative defence secretary Sir Ben Wallace.
Andrew Pierce said that Starmer is to overrule his Chancellor Rachel Reeves on accelerating defence spending
GB News
Speaking to Camilla Tominey on GB News, Andrew Pierce said: "Rachel Reeves will not like it.
"We saw the borrowing figures this week much worse than expected. But the Prime Minister has to remember one of his titles as Prime Minister.
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"He's first Lord of the Treasury to he has to simply overrule his Chancellor and say, we have to do it, we need to do it.
"He's got to say when. Lord Manderson, the new ambassador, according to the Sunday Times today, has been urging Starmer behind the scenes to announce a date very quickly."
Economists estimate that each year the target is brought forward would add £6 billion to the defence budget.
According to ITV, the Prime Minister is considering whether to implement the 2.5 per cent increase immediately or phase it in over two to four years.
The Prime Minister had initially planned to outline the pathway to reaching 2.5 per cent in his spring defence spending review.
However, he is now expected to bring that announcement forward to coincide with his US visit.
The Prime Minister is set to tell Trump on Thursday that Britain is ready to "step up" and play a greater role in ensuring Europe funds its own security.
On Saturday, Starmer held discussions with EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen about increasing defence spending ahead of his Washington trip.
Keir Starmer initially planned to outline the pathway to reaching 2.5 per cent in his spring defence spending review
PADowning Street said the pair agreed on the need to "step up for the good of collective European security".
In his call with Zelensky, Starmer promised to relay to Trump "that Ukraine must be at the heart of any negotiations to end the war".
Simon Case, former senior civil servant, said Starmer is expected to arrive in Washington with concrete plans to compel Europe to address its defence responsibilities.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has publicly backed increased defence spending, telling The Telegraph that "old certainties we have relied on are shifting".
She stated she was "absolutely committed" to reaching the 2.5 per cent target.
