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It looks like the Conservative’s decade long defence cuts affecting Devonport may be coming to an end. Today the PM announced more money for defence, but didn’t say where the new defence cuts he hinted at will fall @plymouth_live have my reaction #plymouth https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/plymouth-news/plymouth-promised-bumper-share-whopping-4715921
There's always a lot of focus on platforms and high-tech weaponry in announcements like this but @johnhealey_mp, Labour's Shadow Defence Secretary, is spot on when he says it should be personnel at the heart of defence policy, not just equipment. https://twitter.com/labourpress/status/1329478007208239106
Yesterday I flagged correctly the past decade of Tory defence cuts. The PM said today that the era of defence cuts would now end. Glad to hear it. But I suspect that won't be accurate with more defence cuts on the horizon as spotted by the BBC https://twitter.com/bbcmartynoates/status/1329419975791144961
Since being elected in 2017 I have stood up for our armed forces and opposed Tory defence cuts to Devonport, our Royal Navy and Royal Marines in particular. You can see everything I've done on defence on my website https://www.lukepollard.org/news/2019/11/24/lukes-record-on-defence/
Today's frigate news is welcome. We were originally due to get 13 Type 26 frigates but the Tories previously cut that number to eight. After rumours this would be cut further, I'm pleased the PM confirmed we will be getting eight Type 26 frigates and five Type 31 frigates.
I was proud to campaign for the new Type 26 frigates to be based in Devonport. It was a good cross-party campaign that got our city the like for like replacements for the Type 23 frigates they're replacing. https://www.savetheroyalnavy.org/will-the-type-26-frigates-be-based-in-devonport/
Today's announcement was only about the good news. The £24bn extra is welcome, but the MOD has huge cost over-runs including a £13bn black hole in its equipment programme. With huge new roles in cyber, space and AI, I fear further cuts will still come. No details on them today.
There was only some detail on the future of the Royal Marines. Remember when the Government promised us a super-base in #plymouth only to break that promise? Well, there's still no detail on a new base after the Government closes Stonehouse Barracks in 2028. That detail is needed
I want to see the Integrated Review so we can get clarity on the future of HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark, on the size of the Royal Marines and whether there's funding for my campaign to recycle the 13 old nuclear submarines tied up in Devonport. That won't be for a few months still
I have long argued for more funding for defence, and so extra money is welcome, but as @Keir_Starmer raised at PMQs, where is this money coming from? What's going to be cut to pay for it? Today we got only the good news. I fear a sting in the tail will be new Tory defence cuts...
Labour's Shadow Defence Minister @StephenMorganMP has a very good thread on the defence announcement here
https://twitter.com/StephenMorganMP/status/1329403569641021440
https://twitter.com/StephenMorganMP/status/1329403569641021440
. @lisanandy, Labour's shadow foreign secretary makes a very good point here when she says defence funding news without a strategy isn't good enough. She's right. Britain is a force for good - let's have a proper integrated plan how that will be delivered. https://twitter.com/lisanandy/status/1329399640949657600
Finally, I want to thank all those who serve in uniform, those civilians who support our forces, and forces families and veterans for everything they do. As Devonport's MP I'll continue to stand up for our armed forces and the defence family. #plymouth #lukeMP
