TIME TO INVEST IN DEFENCE

After years of underfunding Defence, the Government's integrated Defence, Security & Foreign Affairs Review 2020 offers a golden opportunity for Britain to press the re-set button and ensure that the Defence of the Realm returns to its central position in public policy and spending commitments. 

It should be clear to everyone now that we have, as a nation, neglected our Armed Forces and accordingly have lost much of our global influence as well as our capacity to provide effective security for the UK homeland, our trade and energy supply routes and our wouldwide economic interests. The current Review is vital in reshaping our Defence policy and rebuilding our military capabilities; it can enable us to move our Armed Forces back to the top of the list of budget priorities. 

However, it is worrying that indications are coming from within the Government that appear to suggest the primary goal of the Review is to overhaul the Ministry of Defence and to restructure the Civil Service at the MOD. If this is indeed the case then the Government are barking up the wrong tree. The weakness of UK Defence is down to years of funding cuts by HM Treasury which have squeezed our Forces and removed essential military capabilities. 

We call on the Prime Minister and the Defence Secretary to give a firm assurance that the Review will lead to an increase in funding for Britain's Armed Forces, not further cuts or pointless and counterproductive tinkering with MOD administration.

David Wedgwood,
Chairman, on behalf of the Board of Directors of Defence UK 
​24th February 2020

pro patria - Journal of defence uk - 2019 volume 1

At the official launch of Defence UK on 16th October 2019 the first edition of Pro Patria, the Journal of Defence UK was published. It can be read online by selecting the heading above. Hard copies are available from Defence UK, PO Box 819, Portsmouth PO1 9FF.
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MISSION STATEMENT:

“Defence UK is an independent pressure group that campaigns for a strong and well-resourced Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force, to ensure the security of the United Kingdom, her Sovereign Territories, trade and commerce, and to protect her citizens wherever they may be. We also call for a greater commitment by the UK Government to the nation's defence industries, and to non-military services such as the Merchant Navy, Coastguard, Border Control and Homeland Security that are essential to the Defence of the Realm.”
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