Blair's call for national debate on defense

Blair has now called for a national debate on the future and nature of Britain’s armed forces and their role in the world.

So let’s get this straight. The armed forces have been asked to do more than they were 15 years ago, but on substantially less than they had 15 years ago. However, as soon as it becomes apparent that either spending will have to rise or the stretch will turn to snap it is time for a national debate. This seems to be an excuse to delay increasing spending whilst trying to look sympathetic to the predicament that the forces are in. It is political buck passing.

What is there really to debate?

The sums are very simple. If politicians want to collect the peace dividend when threats are considered removed (as was considered the case at the end of the cold war) then equally they must recognize that when new threats arise or new commitments are undertaken there must be a corresponding increase in investment.

The armed forces are overstretched NOW and action needs to start now to rectify this. The nuclear stalemate meant that Nato was very unlikely to go to war with the Soviet Union and yet Britain spent more on defense as part of GDP during the cold war than it has since. However, real operations have significantly and consistently increased since the end of the cold war. Very rarely has Britain demandedso much from so few.

At least defense is now on the national agenda and it is an issue that needs to be taken extremely seriously.

We live in a dangerous world and even if Blair style 'interventionism' is curtailed, threats to Britain's security are real and increasing. Capabilities to deal with the challenges of today are simply not enough. We need extra capacity to meet threats that have yet to arise and which will not afford us luxury of planning time when they do.