Strategic Defence Review 2025

Lord McCabe Excerpts

Friday 18th July 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord McCabe (Lab) (Maiden Speech)]

My Lords, I thank the earlier speakers for their kind remarks. Having spent 27 years next door, it is a pleasure to make my maiden speech in the sedate atmosphere of this place. I have not rushed to make this speech because I felt I needed some time to familiarise myself with the quaint and charming traditions of this House.

I thank those who have been so helpful as I wandered, often in circles, trying to navigate this building: the officers of the House, their staff, the police and security, the doormen, the catering staff and indeed everyone who has made me feel welcome. I am also grateful for the induction sessions for new Members, which proved extremely useful. I want to thank my sponsors: my noble friend Lady Smith, the Leader of the House, for her kindness and sage advice; and my noble friend Lord Kennedy, who has been most welcoming—while making expectations clear, with all the bonhomie that we associate with him.

I want to mention the people of Selly Oak and Hall Green constituencies. They adopted me as one of their own—perhaps an achievement, given my accent and that of the average Brummie. Despite the occasional mishap, like being offered peanut butter while trying to order a pint of bitter, I am proud to say that I am an adopted Brummie.

I have not always been a fan of the Lords, but I had the privilege of serving on the Joint Committee on House of Lords Reform, chaired by my noble friend Lord Cunningham, in 2002. It convinced me of the need for a revising Chamber. Of course, there are arguments about composition, which I look forward to debating on another occasion, but suffice it to say that democracy is better served with a second Chamber.

I am originally from Port Glasgow, which was a ship-building town when I was growing up. I am from a single-parent family, blessed by a mother determined to give her children opportunities she never had and who instilled in us a work ethic, ambition and drive. I understand that I am in a place full of experts—well, some, at least. But seriously, I look forward to learning from the knowledge and wisdom of those here.

I think of myself as a generalist with common sense, more interested in practical solutions than in ideological beliefs. I started as a social worker and spent many years working with young offenders and children who had experienced early-life trauma. We need to improve the interactions of our justice, social welfare and education structures. There is too much process and not enough problem solving.

When it comes to defence, we also need more joined-up thinking. As a former shadow Defence Minister, I welcome the SDR and congratulate my noble friend Lord Robertson on a fine piece of work. It is time to face reality about the risk of war. Only by preparing can we hope to maintain the peace. I agree that we need to up our contribution to Euro-Atlantic security.

I welcome stronger relationships with investors and defence innovators as the way forward, and I am convinced that increased defence spending can be a motor for growth. But as we have heard, it will not be easy to find the resources needed under current financial rules. Perhaps greater flexibility and innovation is required there—maybe defence bonds, or something designed to free defence expenditure from the constraints inherent in current Treasury planning.

As a former chair of Labour Friends of Israel, I take an active interest in the security of that country and the search for a just Middle East peace, which I believe includes the people of Iran. They deserve our support in their struggle to free themselves from the corrupt, barbarous regime oppressing them and exporting war, conflict and terrorism.

I am also a supporter of life sciences, a huge fan of the hospice movement, and keen on medical technology. Through my association with Heart Valve Voice, I support improved diagnoses and treatment for those with heart valve problems. I look forward to working with others across this House who share my interests.

Finally, may I say that it is a long way from Port Glasgow to this place, but if I can do it, anyone can. British values are something to be proud of, and opportunity really matters if we are to modernise and renew our country to face the challenges of the future.