The world is an uncertain and potentially dangerous place which is why it is vital that our country can both defend itself and help defend others who are victims of aggression. We should be under no illusion that the world has been a safer place since WWII because of the global military dominance of the West and our friends led by our staunch ally the United States. Our national security will no longer be assured should this change.
Until recently, there was a mainstream political consensus in the UK where all of us who believed in freedom and democracy recognised the obvious in that defence of the realm was the first and foremost task of any government. This included our independent nuclear deterrent, which along with that of France is vital for the national security of Western Europe and helps to keep us at the top table of global powers.
With the political consensus on defence now blown apart in Britain, it is important that Conservatives reaffirm our commitment to defence and urge our political opponents to see the error of their ways. Put simply, our nation is safer when the two main parties of government are unwavering in supporting our defence, meaning that those who mean us harm know that they will be firmly dealt with, whoever we have in government.
We Conservatives are committed to ensuring that our Armed Forces are fit for the 21st century. While others suggest leaving NATO, boycotting the UK defence industry and would absurdly have our nuclear submarines patrolling as nuclear-free submarines, we are maintaining the NATO target of 2% of GDP on defence spending and will renew our independent nuclear deterrent. We are creating two new fully equipped strike brigades, both with forces of up to 5,000 personnel who will be able to deploy rapidly. We are also increasing the size of both the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force, which includes investing in new maritime patrol aircraft to hunt down hostile submarines and enhance our maritime search and rescue capabilities. We fail to support our nation’s defence at our peril.
Councillor Duncan Crow, Leader of Crawley Borough Council Conservative Group
27th January 2016