IT is no surprise that stock markets are soaring on the news of huge arms spending increases across the Nato states.

It is more surprising that in Britain there has been so little opposition within the left and the trade unions for the budget shift.

Yes, many have condemned the cruel cuts to overseas aid with which Keir Starmer is funding phase one of his martial build-up. But no Labour MP other than Diane Abbott has challenged the principle of spending more on the military.