The PM’s rhetoric on defence has been swelling, invoking Atlee and Bevan. Depressingly, his great reveal was a paltry 0.2% uplift by 2027. Israel doesn’t mess around with decimal points. Its decisions are based on necessity, growth and seriousness.
The smartest time to talk about policy trade-offs is, of course, in opposition.
Perhaps if the government cannot see the growth argument for Defence investment they could stop using the “first duty of government is to protect its citizens” argument as cheap phrasing and actually put their money where their mouths are.
Littering, fare-dodging, and shoplifting are minor offenses, but they undermine people’s sense of living in a safe, well-ordered public square.
We trust those who served in arms, or in uniform, with great authority and significant power. They must be held to the highest standards.
There is a danger that the military becomes merely a reserve of manpower for domestic services, rather than an instrument of our global ambitions.
It would not only bring practical benefits for the present, but could provide a means of easing societal problems in the future.
Constructing Nightingale hospitals, delivering vaccines, driving ambulances – such work mustn’t compromise their core function.
A sense of ownership comes not just with physical property but with a more intangible feeling of empowerment in your community.
There has been a hugely positive change in mindset when it comes to soldiers’ mental and physical health. Now we need to do more.
Investing in gigabit broadband will make boost regional competitiveness and make the home-working revolution much more viable.
They have existing infrastructure in place. But improved intercity transport is needed as well as building new homes.
The EU is caught between making more effective decisions and compromising its smaller members’ interests.
We must adapt or risk a lasting hit to one of the world’s economic command centres. A booster shot is needed to avert a smaller economy.
His lack of sincerity when the proverbial sun is shining, means when it pours, his ability to shape a narrative, rather than just commentate on it is severely limited.