Tag Archives: SDSR

Nick Harvey

Sir Nick Harvey writes…Difficult questions for all parties on defence spending

By Nick Harvey | Thu 12th March 2015 - 7:15 pm

Today in the Commons I sat through impressive speeches from across the benches echoing concerns about the UK’s expenditure on defence – principally, our predicted failure to meet NATO’s 2 per cent of GDP target on defence spending in the approaching financial year.

There was little expectation that defence would become a big election issue, but less than two months ahead of polling day all the parties share the headache that a commitment to maintaining the 2 per cent target looks frankly impossible. With the assumption that further cuts will have to be made across the board, there are serious implications for the kind of role the UK wants to play in the world and how we are going to defend our global interests.

Continue reading »
Posted in Op-eds | Also tagged , and | 37 Comments
Advert

Recent Comments

  • Pawel Urbanski
    @Jana thank you, and fair challenge. You are right that "unearned" is the wrong word if it sounds like a verdict on effort. Beckham earned his money and paid in...
  • Jana
    @Nonconformistradical “What makes young people violent in the first place? This is the nature/ nurture question. Some think people are born ‘good’ and...
  • Judy Abel
    @Nigel agree with all of this - your last paragraph says it all - things have to change and the Lib Dems could start to be that change....
  • nigel hunter
    A few comments ---The 'Middle England ' scenario is so OLD.The country is changing and that way keeps the status quo, when people are restless for change, wher...
  • Judy Abel
    Thank you for all your comments - we had a good debate!...