Britain faces an unprecedented level of risk to our national security with war in Ukraine and war in Iran. We need strong defence more now than we have needed it in a very long time. As the Romans said: if you want peace, prepare for war. Our national security is fundamental to our prosperity.
However, the expert consensus is that our military is not ready for war. The Chief of the Defence Staff has said that the Ministry of Defence needs an extra £28 billion. Labour has allowed defence to go underfunded – losing its highly respected Defence Secretary in the process - while welfare spending has ballooned by £19.8 billion in the past year.
As a first step we need the government to commit to bringing defence spending to 3 per cent of GDP this Parliament, rather than Labour’s target of the next Parliament – potentially as late as 2034. In a fast moving world, this is far too late.
The Conservatives have set out key steps towards 3 per cent, including by reinstating the two-child benefit cap and using billions from Net Zero to create a Sovereign Defence Fund. We have explained where the money comes from, how Labour could do this, and are now restating our offer to work together in the national interest to achieve it.
Even Labour’s own senior Defence figures know this is not good enough, as both of their recently resigned MOD Ministers – ex-Secretary of State John Healey and previous Armed Forces Minister Al Carns – cited the lack of defence funding as their reason for quitting.
My party is calling on Labour to do the right thing, telling the current Prime Minister – and any future Prime Ministerial candidates - it is time to get serious about defence. We used an Opposition Day Debate to bring this issue to the floor of the house and give MPs the chance to make their voice heard. Labour, putting party over country, blocked our motion. But we will not stop fighting to ensure our Armed Forces get the resources they need.
