• Conservatives use Opposition Day Debate to force a vote calling on the Government to cut welfare to fund defence, but Labour put party over country to block it.
• Defence Secretary John Healey and Armed Forces Minister Al Carns have both resigned from Labour’s Government, condemning the Defence Investment Plan as inadequately funded and insufficient.
• Only the Conservatives have set out a plan to fund defence and have offered to work with whoever is the Prime Minister to deliver it.
Yesterday, Conservatives voted to call on the Government to cut welfare and fund defence, supporting the Conservative Party’s motion in our Opposition Day Debate.
Britain faces an unprecedented level of risk to our national security with war in Ukraine and war in Iran. We need strong defence more now than we have needed it in a very long time. Our national security is fundamental to our prosperity.
There is a consensus that our military is not ready for war. The Chief of the Defence Staff has said that the Ministry of Defence needs an extra £28 billion. Labour has allowed defence to go underfunded while welfare spending has ballooned by £19.8 billion in the past year.
In Southport, 1,845 people now claim welfare, the number increasing since Labour came into office. These numbers are not sustainable.
At the same time, people in Southport are proud of our armed forces, this weekend will see a celebration of our armed forces with the fantastic Armed Forces Festival taking place in the town.
We need to put more money in defence and bring defence spending to 3 per cent of GDP this Parliament, rather than Labour’s target of the next Parliament – potentially as late as 2034. Conservatives have set out key steps towards 3 per cent, including by reinstating the two-child benefit cap and using billions from Net Zero to create a Sovereign Defence Fund. We have explained where the money comes from, how Labour could do this, and are now restating our offer to work together in the national interest to achieve it.
Even Labour’s own senior Defence figures know this is not good enough, as both of their recently resigned MOD Ministers – ex-Secretary of State John Healey and previous Armed Forces Minister Al Carns – cited the lack of defence funding as their reason for quitting.
Conservatives are calling on Labour to do the right thing, telling whoever is the Prime Minister it is time to get serious about defence. That is why we have used an Opposition Day Debate to bring this issue to the floor of the house and give MPs the chance to make their voice heard. Labour, putting party over country, blocked our motion. But we will not stop fighting to ensure our Armed Forces get the resources they need.
Mike Prendergast of Southport Conservatives said:
“People in Southport and the Northern Parishes, and across the country are alarmed by the growing threats Britain faces. And they are also alarmed by the growing welfare bill, that is absorbing public resources and stopping us from funding our defence.
“The threats we face are getting more and more serious. That is why Conservatives in Parliament
voted to demand the Government cuts welfare and gives our Armed Forces the backing they need to keep us safe.
“It’s hugely disappointing that Southport’s current Labour MP voted against this.”
James Cartlidge MP, Shadow Defence Secretary, said:
“The first duty of every Government must be to protect our security. We cannot have our military inadequately funded at a time of growing threats. It is time to get serious.
“We need to put more money in defence and that means increasing spending to 3 per cent of GDP this Parliament. Whoever is the next Prime Minister must make our security a priority.”
Helen Whately MP, Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, said:
“The Labour Party always seem to be able to find more money for benefits - but when it comes to protecting our country, the kitty is empty.
“Conservatives have set out ways to fund our military, including reinstating the two-child benefit cap and creating a sovereign defence fund. We have explained where the money comes from and how Labour could do this. We are now reissuing our offer to work together in the national interest to make welfare savings to fund defence.”
