The first duty of any government is to keep the country safe. This week’s announcement that the government will boost defence spending to 2.5% of national income, the biggest boost since the Cold War, is a giant leap forward in the effort to safeguard our security in an increasingly dangerous and unpredictable world.
Putin’s illegal and brutal invasion of Ukraine in 2022 shows that we are now living in a time where peace depends on strength. That is the only thing dictators like Putin respect. Our Armed Forces were “hollowed out and underfunded” under the previous government – these are not my words – but the words of Ben Wallace, Defence Secretary in 2023. In 2010, we had a full-time army of 100,000 troops, and by 2024 this had reduced to just 70,000. As a leading European power, now is the time for the UK to step up to the plate.
Many will agree that defence spending needs to increase, but it’s not just how much you spend, but how you spend it. That’s why I also support the government’s biggest shake up of defence spending for over 50 years, making sure we deliver better value for money in the effort to rearm Britain, tackle waste and grow our economy.
The UK has proudly stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine throughout this conflict. £13 billion has been provided in assistance. Bassetlaw families flung open their doors and took in Ukrainian refugees, and millions of pounds have been donated, including food, clothing, and essential supplies. I am immensely proud that we have stood alongside the people of Ukraine in their darkest hour. Not only is this the right thing to do, but the future of Ukraine is vital for our own national security.