then prepare for War
The Defence Review was akin to a wish list sent to Santa, albeit a very sensible and worthy list, but a wish list nonetheless: No money was allocated, merely an ‘ambition’ .
Ambitions are rarely achieved. To be reassured, we need to see the hard cash.
What was reassuring however, was the almost universal commitment to nuclear deterrence. The Government was robust (notwithstanding that both the Deputy Prime Minister, and the Foreign Secretary voted against Trident renewal in the past -as did the Liberal Democrats, and it’s welcome that even they have now changed their minds). The only party entirely absent from the feast was Reform, perhaps further indication of Farage’s admiration for Putin.
The one country to disarm itself of nuclear weapons is Ukraine, which has not turned out well.
The purpose of nuclear weapons is to persuade a potential opponent not even to consider an attack. That opponent needs to know, not only that we will retaliate in any escalation to a nuclear exchange, but also that we have is no hesitation to make first use of them.
Alas, the government appears to be wobbling on this critically important point:
Hansard 2nd June Column 46
Sir Desmond Swayne
In pursuit of deterrence, will the Minister recommit to first use when either the strategic or tactical situation demands it?
Luke Pollard, Minister for the Armed Forces
If I read out our nuclear playbook at the Dispatch Box, the right hon. Gentleman would be one of the first people to raise concerns, so I decline that polite invitation to detail our nuclear strategy. That ambiguity is absolutely certain, but we do not have a first-strike policy, as he will know. As the only European NATO member to dedicate our nuclear deterrent in the defence of all NATO member states, we maintain that capacity not only in support of the United Kingdom. That is an important part of our collective deterrence.
The Enemy needs to be certain, ambiguity just won’t do.