Growing up in the 70s and 80s, I remember only too well the Cold War and then the subsequent breakup of the Soviet Union, often characterised by the fall of the Berlin Wall, which was a momentous moment in modern history.  I also recall the term “peace dividend” following this, as the West benefited by being able to reduce defence spending due to the reduced military threats.

Times have now changed significantly, especially since the illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine, and threats continue to grow and evolve.  The last fortnight has seen Iran attack two British Oversees Territories (Akrotiri on the island of Cyprus and Diego Garcia), with concerns raised that the furthest range of Iranian missiles could potentially include London.  While that threat/possibility isn’t quantified, it serves as a chilling reminder that our world is one of increasing threats to us.         

Our country needs to go further and faster than what Labour is proposing on defence spending.  I find it concerning that the Labour Government have surrendered to their backbenchers and decided to prioritise more welfare spending over defence.   I also have concerns about some British politicians having links to hostile foreign powers like Russia, especially from Reform.

I welcome the Conservative Party policy to raise defence spending to 3% of GDP by the end of this Parliament, and that our leader Kemi Badenoch has been calling on the Labour Government to do exactly this.  A Conservative Government would bring back the two-child benefit cap, that Labour scrapped.  Saving £3.2 billion a year, half would be to reduce the deficit and the remaining £1.6 billion would go to Defence.  Conservatives are committing to growing the Regular Army back to 80,000 and the Army Reserves to 40,000 - a total increase of 20,000 soldiers.

And it’s not just the Labour Government that has been slow to shake off the shackles of Jeremy Corbyn when talking about being weak on defence.  Locally, Labour Councillors in Crawley continue to implement their policy of shamefully having Crawley Borough Council financially boycott British defence companies, whom our Armer Forces rely on for their equipment.

Councillor Duncan Crow, Leader of Crawley Borough Council Conservative Group

25th March 2026