From the letters page of today's Telegraph (known in certain circles as the Torygraph, and not actually a paper which I normally take):
"Philip Hammond is right to put defence of the country ahead of defence of welfare. Defence of the realm is the first priority of any government, but cutting our Armed Forces and reducing orders for defence equipment could not only put the country at risk but also add to the welfare budget".
And: "While Mr Hammond's comments about the future of the defence budget are to be welcomed, I fear it is too late.
The so-called Strategic Defence Review when it came to power neutered the Armed Forces.
At a stroke, our fixed-wing carrier capability was axed, likewise a whole wing of Harrier aircraft, together with other offensive air assets.
Gone is our long-range maritime patrol fleet and the reconnaissance intelligence-gathering capability that the Nimrod gave us.
The Army is being reduced to little more than a gesture and our air defences, together with many support services, have been severely weakened.
In sum, we have effectively been disarmed and only a significant, real increase in defence spending can right these wrongs".
A further letter from an Oxford Professor queries the logic of our nuclear capability, as he's entirely entitled to do in the democracy which emerged from the sacrifices made in WW2. For myself, the logic is simple: we have at all times a submarine armed with Trident nuclear missiles lurking unseen under one of the oceans. We are not in any way belligerent but if you were to be so foolish as to attack us, then be very clear - you will get several megatons of a horrendously nasty response right down your neck. Ergo, for a relatively small cost we have at least that particular threat put to bed.
As a former soldier it might be expected that I'd be pushing for defence - but I'm not just a former soldier, I'm a citizen and a taxpayer - and I want to see the difficult balance of government expenditure much more slanted towards what should be their first priority, keeping us all safe. Sadly, they are currently failing ... badly.
Tony. (Hey, whoever it was (sorry), when they finally lock me up in the Tower, I do so hope that there'll be lots of RYL visitors and that they won't just be feeding me peanuts through the bars!)
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