1922 Defence Committee releases report

Committee Chair John Baron MP looks forward to meeting Prime Minister

Earlier this year John Baron MP was appointed chair of the Conservative 1922 Defence Committee. This, like its sister committees, exists to solicit policy ideas from backbenchers and feed them into the Government to be translated into action. In a ‘call for evidence’ over March and April, all Conservative back benchers were invited to make submissions for their priorities for defence, and discussions were held in the Committee’s meetings.

The result of these discussions and submissions is the report. It has been submitted to the Government, and the Committee will shortly be presenting it to the No 10 Policy Unit and discussing it with the Prime Minister and Defence Secretary.

John said,

“Across the Conservative backbenches there is a wide consensus that the Russian invasion of Ukraine requires an increase in defence spending alongside a broad reassessment of manpower and capabilities. In particular, the report concludes that there should be a moratorium on defence cuts until this reassessment exercise is concluded.”

“The report has been submitted to the Government and circulated around Conservative MPs. We are looking forward to feeding its findings directly into the No 10 Policy Unit and to the Prime Minister. He would be wise to heed his backbenchers.”

Notes to Editors:

• The vice-chairs of the 1922 Defence Committee are Sarah Atherton MP and Lord Hamilton of Epsom.