00:00It is a dangerous time. For two years as the security minister, I've been dealing with the
00:04threats that we face as a nation, but I've known Andy Burnham for a very long time. I have absolutely
00:09no doubt that he understands the nature of the world that we're operating in, the threat that
00:14we face from countries like Russia, and I'm absolutely certain that he'll make sure that
00:18as a country, we've got the resources we need in place to keep the country safe.
00:22Have you spoken to him about staying in position?
00:25I've been in touch with Andy, who I've known for a very long time. We work closely together as
00:29mayors. I think he will be an exceptional prime minister, and I have 100% confidence that
00:34he understands the importance of national security. I hope there'll be an opportunity to serve
00:39in his cabinet, but ultimately that will be a decision for him.
00:41Have you made the case, though, that we shouldn't have so many changeovers in this position as
00:45defence secretary?
00:46I think continuity is important, not least in terms of the work that we're doing with our
00:50NATO allies. I've just returned from Ankara and from Brussels before that, working closely
00:55with our partners in NATO. The world is a very dangerous place. I'm really proud of the work
01:00that we've done to secure £15 billion of new investment for defence. That sits alongside
01:06£298 billion that we've committed to spend over the next four years. I'm absolutely certain
01:11that Andy Burnham will provide the leadership that the country needs at a point of challenge
01:15for us.
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