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Defence Policy

Let me go back to what the former Prime Minister said before the 1997 election:"““By 1999 defence spending will have fallen to 2.6 per cent. of GDP””—" in his eyes, a terrible failure. He went on:"““The people who have had to bear the burden of these cuts are our servicemen and women, overstretched and under strength as never before.””" However, according to the Government’s own argument, they have fallen below that GDP figure. They have increased their commitments and reduced our manpower. It is for the Government—a Government unafraid to put their record before the electorate—to defend their record in the House of Commons today. When we come to office, we will clearly set out all our proposals—and we will defend them, unlike the Government, who are clearly unwilling to do the same today, having failed by every measure that they themselves set.