It’s been a busy couple of weeks in defence. I’ve been looking closely at the Government’s announcements, as well as setting out more of the thinking behind our defence policy.
Last week the Government published a Green Paper ahead of a strategic defence review, just weeks before a general election. Although we agree with most of the Green Paper we cannot accept the assumption in it that Britain will always operate as part of an alliance. While the default position for the UK is, and will be, to operate as a partner within one alliance or another, we do have unique national interests and we cannot always, nor should we always, expect that we can depend on our partners when Britain’s direct national interests are threatened.
On Monday I delivered a speech to RUSI which highlighted some of my current thinking on the Strategic Defence and Security Review the Conservatives will carry out if we form the next Government. It will have to be a step change and full overhaul of the status quo-not a minor tinkering to the system. It will be carried out ruthlessly and without sentiment. Tough decisions will be made and there will be winners and losers at the end of the process but Britain will be safe and our interests secure.
We looked closely at the NAO’s report on Wednesday saying that our defence medical services are just about coping with the level of casualties we’re seeing in Afghanistan. It also confirmed what I’ve been saying about the need to do more for the mental health of our veterans, particularly Reservists. The Commons Defence Select Committee released a report on the same day which concludes that our ability to respond to the unexpected is threatened by the overstretch in the forces at the moment. We also welcomed the Government’s announcements this week of increased compensation and Army Recovery Centres for wounded personnel – but why has it taken them so long to do this?
And then on Thursday I set out what we believe the military relationship should be between the UK, the EU and Nato. Nato will continue to be the cornerstone of our defence under a future Conservative Government. The EU has a role to play where Nato cannot, or chooses not to, act. We will also focus more on building strong bilateral relationships with European allies like France, Norway and Turkey.
We are at a tipping point in Britain. We need to decide if we want to stay in the First Division or slide into the Second Division. I choose the former.
( 5 comments ) Tags: Defence Medical Services, EU, green paper, NAO, NATO, RUSI, Strategic Defence Review
Comment by Sara on February 14, 2010 at 3:38 pm
There was a point after the second World War when the outgoing French Foreign Minister briefed his successor that the main task was to ensure France gracefully took up its place in the second division, because it no longer had the resources to punch its weight in the first division. Why is Britain’s position different, given the rising military and economic power of countries such as the US, China, Brazil and India?
Comment by Anthony on February 15, 2010 at 11:39 am
Britain’s position has to be different by necessity, in my humble opinion of course. The reality is that the majority of Britain’s life blood is trade with other countries. As such the inability to defend it’s own interests without the support of other countries can and will only result in damage to it’s economy. Look through history and it is no surprise, in my mind, that when the military has been strong the economy has usually been strong as well.
Britain is a trading nation and without the ability to defend it’s trading sovereignties it is a country that will flounder. Further more it is a nation with acute experience with piracy and the like, something that is becoming very common now a days.
I’m sorry but without the political and military weight to hold it’s trading corner around the globe Britain would be in a dangerous position relying on others for the defence of it’s trade and interests.
Additionally the military growth of countries like China and the recent aggressive tendencies of Russia merely highlight the need for an ability to defend ourself, and with great capability if needs be. China and Russia have never had relationships with Britain like the US has and given how heavily the will lean on the US at times and how they have treated powers much weaker than them only shows why Britain needs a strong deterrent.
Additionally I point at the mistakes of the past, people believed Britain would never have to project power to distant lands and so cut back the Navy, soon after the Falklands was invaded.
The navy has been cut back and oh look, oil has been found off the Falklands, the Argentine government still claims the Falklands belong to them and impounded a British oil ship. Without a 1st rate military there is no way Britain could project power should a military situation arise, especially with commitments abroad.
This is just a final example of how important Britain’s military is…. Oh I add that’s before peacekeeping, anti-drug trafficking on the oceans and the various other duties the military provide to us and the rest of the world.
Comment by Monica & John Watson on February 22, 2010 at 2:16 pm
It is very obvious that the puppets strings are being pulled by the devious peter mandelson who is looking to his own ends to rule the labour party
Comment by Arnold Whittle on June 22, 2010 at 9:45 am
We must have a strong armed forces there is room for cuts, and all the services must remain intact and strong, each service plays a vital roll in the security of our Nation.
Comment by Paul Robinson on September 21, 2010 at 2:24 pm
Personnally I am sick of seeing our excellent Armed Forces being embarrassed lately.
Look back to the Iranians taking the Royal Marines in the Gulf it made Briatin look weak, Basra looked like a defeat and now British forces leaving Sangin.
Instead of defence cuts making Britain look weaker inviting trouble spend what needs to be spent when it needs to be spent and finish the job properly.
It will probably save money in the long run as opposed to having to beg and borrow from else where when British interests are threatened in the future.