A Hampshire defense businessman has hit out at Andy Burnham, urging the Labor leadership to make this month’s Farnborough International Airshow one of his first meetings, possibly on his first day in Downing Street.
Andrew Barnett, managing director of Fareham-based Barnbrook Systems and chairman of the South Central Regional Defense and Security Cluster, says the Makerfield MP’s presence at the global exhibition, which runs from 20 to 24 July, will send an undeniable signal that the next person in Number 10 is committed to national security, the economy and UK plc.
The intervention comes at a time of dramatic political upheaval. Those who may run for the Labor leadership election from the 9th to the 15th of July to get the support of 81 Members of Parliament, until the 16th of July to collect the names suggested by the organizations that work with them such as unions. If only one candidate clears the threshold, the new leader will be confirmed at a special Labor conference on Friday 17 July before being named Prime Minister, three days before the air show opens. The ongoing race will push the result to the members’ election which ends on August 29.
“Andy Burnham needs to tie his colors to the mast,” said Barnett, who also sits on the board of the Farnborough Aerospace Consortium. “The opening day of the air show on July 20 would be his first day in office if he represents the Prime Minister unopposed, but that will make it even more important for him to be there.
“No doubt he will have an overflowing in-tray, but defense, keeping our country and its people safe, and more money for defense must be high on his list of priorities.
“Similarly, if other candidates are standing and the date of entering the race for the leadership of labor is postponed, it is important that they also attend, as a statement of intent on how important defense will be when they enter office.
“The world is becoming increasingly unstable while wars are rapidly developing before our eyes. The UK must have the technology, investment and supply chains to support our troops and our partners.”
Barnett confirmed that he has written to Burnham explaining the issue he will be attending and has invited him to meet, an offer he says will be passed on to any contestants who show up. Burnham has already started lobbying for business votes, having recently signed off on a tax haven and a pledge to cut business rates for pubs and high street firms, but the defense sector will want to see that warmth extended to Britain’s security industry.
The number of suppliers is huge. The Strategic Defense Review committed the UK to spending 2.5 per cent of GDP on defense from 2027, and ministers have moved to give smaller defense firms easier access to MoD contracts through a dedicated growth unit. SMEs like Barnbrook will be watching closely to see if the new Prime Minister maintains that momentum.
There is a precedent for visiting the prime minister. Barnett met Sir Keir Starmer shortly after his election at the 2024 air show, which has delivered £13 billion of deals to the UK aviation industry. After Sir Keir’s resignation announcement, Barnett called on his successor to put pro-business policies at the heart of the government’s economic plan.
This year’s exhibition, which takes place every two years and is built around the pillars of Advancing Aerospace, Propelling Defense and Pioneering Space, is expected to be the largest yet. Organizers are predicting record visitor numbers, with six exhibition halls instead of five, expanded flying and stationary displays and a strong display from defense companies, which is a reflection of a sector which, according to ADS Group figures, is now an industry that contributes more than £42 billion a year to the UK economy.
Barnbrook Systems will exhibit for the 16th time in a row, from the Farnborough Aerospace Consortium stand in Hall 1, UK Village, Stand 1317. The global solutions provider, serving the defense, aviation and aerospace markets, will demonstrate new technologies and advanced services.
The company specializes in Intelligent Internet of Things (IIoT) technology and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) work that breathes new life into old defense equipment. That includes solutions to supply engine controls and flight actuators for fighter jets in service around the world, including the Tornado, Jaguar, Hawk and Sea Harrier, as well as temperature monitors and rotary variable differential transformers.
Barnbrook, which is certified by both the Federal Aviation Administration and the Civil Aviation Authority, recently received a seven-year, ten-year contract to supply and maintain Rolls-Royce marine engine transmissions for all foreign naval destroyers. The IIoT-enabled transformation of Leonardo’s helicopters has revolutionized the safety and efficiency of inflight refueling, and will also demonstrate its E:BAG system for extinguishing lithium-ion battery fires in phones, tablets, power banks, laptops and vapes.
With around 50 employees and offices in the United States and Europe, the Fareham firm punches above its weight as prime contractors and subcontractors to international, UK MOD and overseas governments.
Whether the next Prime Minister chooses to walk the halls of Farnborough remains to be seen. For Barnett, calculation is simple: in an unstable world, it shows things.
