MPs’ round-up
Tough decisions ahead in review of defence vision Since my last column, we’ve seen a little more detail emerge around the Government’s Integrated Review of our defence capabilities. On Monday, the Defence Secretary spoke to the House of Commons, outlining the strategic vision that will inform our military decisions over the next five years. It’s worth saying – as I emphasised last week – that the Government renewed our commitment to the NATO recommended level of defence spending – an annual 2% of GDP. But they’ve gone further, pledging an additional 0.5% above inflation for every year of the current Parliament – an additional £24.1 billion over the next four years. But alongside retrenchment, we’ve also seen signals of reform. And one of the
Somerton & Frome MP David Warburton announcements that’s caused anxiety is the decision to trim the operational manpower of the army from 76,500 to 72,500 by 2025. I understand the consternation that’s caused in some quarters (and will be questioning Ministers as to how this reduction will be managed), but know, too, how important it is that this Defence Command Paper
equips us to confront a range of metamorphosing threats. A pivotal moment in the 2012 US Presidential debates came when Governor Romney asked why the US Navy had fewer ships than in 1917. President Obama replied that the military also had “fewer horses and bayonets” as a function of technological development – and a shifting calculus of risk. And though the enormous bravery and sacrifice of our front-line soldiers will continue to be indispensable in protecting the UK, we also need to anticipate future threats. This is particularly vital given the long lead
times on defence procurement. We are already seeing upgrades to our airborne capability (with a planned expansion to our F-35 fleet and unmanned drone capability among other areas) as well as a new National Cyber Force designed to meet the new reality in which digital warfare offers a constant threat. It’s about staying one step ahead of those who wish to do us harm. And at a time when the world we see looks more uncertain than ever, such forward-thinking is not merely desirable – it’s a grave necessity.
No place in society for violent protest
Voltaire apparently said: “I disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” The same enlightenment principle applies to protesting, and this is enshrined within the Human Rights Act. However, just as freedom of speech isn’t absolute, government may legitimately restrict freedom of assembly in instances where the freedoms and safety of others are under threat. An assembly would be a charitable description of the violent mob that attacked police in Bristol last week. That disgusting performance will have strengthened the resolve of anyone wavering in their support for the government’s Police, Crime Sentencing and Courts Bill. I certainly voted to buttress the freedom and security of 64
MP for South West Wiltshire Dr Andrew Murrison those potentially at the whip end of mob rule. It’s not for the first time I’ve called out mob rule in a city I know well, In June I criticised policemen who ‘took the knee’ or did nothing in the face of BLM protesters hauling down a
statue in the town centre. You can dress that up however you like but there’s no disguising it as a wanton criminal act. Now the Avon and Somerset constabulary that largely stood by that day has itself come under the most appalling attack. I suspect most of the violent protestors we saw in Bristol last week are numbered among ‘the usual suspects;’ political extremists, anarchists and angry, marginalised young men looking for a cause to justify their aggression. They are certainly not freedom-loving campaigners since what they were up to is the antithesis of freedom and the rules-based system that underpins it. I do not think Voltaire had in mind the likes of the Bristol thugs when he spoke of defending to the death the right
of people to express views which he did not himself hold. Those people need to feel the rule of law. I have been mobilised to help vaccinate and I am reminded daily that we are by no means out of this pandemic. I did support last week the extension of the powers granted to ministers by parliament last year to deal with the crisis, However, we have to ensure that those powers are revoked at the earliest opportunity. I’m thinking big firms will be thinking twice about a future in an EU that threatens to seize assets and block exports. Those companies may find a better fit in an enlightened, liberal jurisdiction like the UK whose government has met the EU’s belligerence with commendable maturity and balance.
