Prime Minister visits Swindon defence technology firm Stark

Keir Starmer came to Swindon on Friday 5 June 2026 to visit Stark, a defence technology company based in the town, Swindon24 reported. The visit was not announced beforehand: details emerged after Downing Street published the Prime Minister's remarks online, and the report noted that no local media were present.

Mr Starmer met staff and gave a speech about national security, defence investment and the part British manufacturing plays in supporting the Armed Forces. North Swindon MP Will Stone attended.

What did the Prime Minister say?

He told staff their work was "really important" and, speaking of the Armed Forces, said: "They can't do their job without you". He added: "My first duty, the duty above everything else, is to keep our country safe, and to keep our people safe."

He said higher defence spending should bring skilled, well-paid jobs to the UK.

Why Swindon?

Mr Stone said the Government's commitment to raise defence spending to 2.6% of GDP was a chance for places like Swindon, and that the visit reaffirmed his aim of making the town the UK's drone hub.

The report set the visit alongside other defence news:

• Brave1, Ukraine's government-backed defence technology cluster, visited Swindon earlier the same week with local firms and Mr Stone.
• Portuguese drone maker Tekever was progressing plans for a manufacturing and research site in Swindon, expected to create hundreds of skilled jobs. No timetable was given.

Source: Swindon24.