Zarah Sultana calls for UK withdrawal from NATO, criticises military spending

Labour MP Zarah Sultana has issued a strongly worded call for the United Kingdom to withdraw from NATO, arguing that the alliance represents an “imperialist war machine” rather than a force for global stability.

In a statement shared on X, Sultana said NATO’s record in conflicts such as Afghanistan and Libya demonstrates that it is not about “peace” or “security”, but instead drives military interventionism that benefits arms manufacturers.

She contrasted the government’s defence priorities with domestic challenges facing the UK, pointing to pressure on the National Health Service, deteriorating public services, and growing child poverty.

“Arms dealers profit while our NHS collapses, public services crumble and millions of children grow up in poverty,” she wrote, adding that citizens “don’t need forever wars” but improvements to their everyday lives.

Sultana concluded her message with a call for a shift in national priorities: “Wages, not weapons. Welfare, not warfare.”