Labour Members Back Higher Defence Spending — But Want Taxes, Not Welfare Cuts, to Fund It

A ThinkLabour survey of 788 Labour members found 68% want more defence spending, yet 61% of those supporters favour tax rises over welfare reallocation to pay for it. That directly complicates PM Andy Burnham's plan to redirect welfare funds toward defence. ThinkLabour, now closely tied to Burnham's premiership, fielded the survey in June–July 2026.