Uncertainty about the US military commitment to Europe, plus the near-certainty of a continuing threat from Russia, places the UK centre-stage in all defence and security discussions. So who prime-minister designate Andy Burnham appoints as foreign secretary, and defence secretary, is crucial.

Burnham will likely want to continue many aspects of Keir Starmer’s approach to defense and security policy, but with some key differences.

Wolfgang Ischinger, the former ambassador to the UK and US, has a strong message for Britain's presumptive new leader