4 days ago
Times letters: Getting Britain into battle-ready shape
Sir, Many people will agree with General Lord Dannatt when he proposes that taxes be increased to pay for the full implementation of the strategic defence review (letter, Jun 3), but how confident can we be that any additional tax revenues would be ringfenced for defence and not dissipated on other Labour Party priorities such as social security spending and political investments in the red wall?
One can only hope that government rhetoric about national security is not being used as a tactical smokescreen to justify additional taxation destined to cover shortfalls in other departmental budgets, with only a token increase in defence spending. After his victory in the general election Sir Keir Starmer undertook to make the tough calls and promised action, not words. It is time to see that action and the rapid implementation of the defence review's recommendations in this parliament.
Dr David Ryan
Bournemouth
