MP who led Army rebellion says Government is taking unnecessary risks
John Baron MP has said that Robert Gates, the former US Defence Secretary, is right to warn that cuts to the UK’s Armed Forces will limit the country’s ability to be a major player on the world stage. John Baron MP, who led the attempt in Parliament to stop the Government cutting 20,000 regular troops, has said that cuts to our Armed Forces is trying to get Defence on the cheap without regard to our strategic interests.
John said:
“It is clear to many that these cuts are going too far. We are taking undue risks with regards both our security and wider strategic interests. We are trying to get our defence on the cheap whilst ignoring the fact that many countries not necessarily friendly to the West are increasing their spending.”
“The Army is a good example. Plans to replace 20,000 regulars with 30,000 reservists are on the rocks and will cost more than the Government envisages. The fact that they are axing regular troops before the reservists are able to take their place creates further operational capability gaps.”
Ends
Word Count: 202
Date: 16th January 2014
Notes to Editors
John Baron MP has long campaigned against cuts to the Armed Forces and tabled an Amendment to the Defence Reform Bill at the end of 2013 which called for the axing of regular troops to be stopped until the reservists are able to take their place. Despite Labour support, the Amendment was defeated.
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