John Baron MP: a robust defence policy or white elephants and PC

MP says 2% of GDP on defence is insufficient

In a piece published earlier in the week, John Baron MP has warned of the consequences of not properly funding our Armed Forces. In Britain, defence is being cut to the bone: the Defence Select Committee’s latest report suggests we may be approaching the point where they are insufficient to defend our national security. Meanwhile, as events in the Crimea and the South China Sea illustrate, countries not necessarily friendly to the West are increasingly projecting their military might.

John said,

“We now need a major rethink about the extent to which we resource and configure our armed forces, even if political correctness and white elephants have to be sacrificed along the way. Otherwise, the present high-risk strategy could cost us dear.”

“Having opposed our recent interventions, I hope no-one could describe me as a neo-con. However, I am concerned these entanglements have distracted us from recognising the bigger picture – that of increasingly powerful countries elsewhere professionalising and bolstering their armed forces. A willingness to use them illustrates a growing confidence, if not assertiveness.”

“This is significant. Britain has global interests and needs to remain a global power to protect them. Calls that we have the fourth largest defence budget ring hollow when we rank 30^th in being able to commit troops overseas. A defence budget representing 2% of GDP is simply not enough.”

“Where should the money come from? We are spoilt for choice if the political will exists. At home, white elephants such as HS2, costing £50bn, should be ditched. We still have far too many quangos, and why should public sector management receive salaries far higher than the Prime Minister? Meanwhile, international aid to countries that can help themselves and extravagant EU budgets need to be cut. Hard choices now have to be made.”

• The full article is online at: http://goo.gl/nvX5CI.