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Conor McGinn MP challenged the Prime Minister on army numbers following the Government’s statement on the Security and Strategic Defence Review (SDSR).
Speaking in Parliament, Conor directly questioned the Prime Minister’s commitment to increasing the number of deployable armed forces by 20,000 by 2025 given simultaneous plans to cut the Regular Army by 20,000 by 2020.
хЪCommenting McGinn said:
хЪ“The Defence of the UK and its people is the first duty of any Government, and in a dangerous world the threats we face are complicated and challenging.
хЪ“The Government’s promise to increase the number of deployable armed forces personnel by 20,000 over the next ten years whilst reducing the regular army by 20,000 over the next five years seem inconsistent. It is vital that a reduction in Army numbers does not affect the capability of our Armed Forces to deal with the modern challenges they face.
хЪ“The SDSR should set out a comprehensive, joined-up vision for how the UK meets, prevents and mitigates the threats our country currently faces, and will face.
хЪ“A lack of strategic long-term thinking in the last Parliament saw David Cameron waste millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money on time-wasting reviews, botched procurement decisions and a flawed reconfiguration of the Armed Forces .
хЪ“Whilst there are some welcome measures in the SDSR, the Government will need to show that its deeds match its words, and the British public will be watching closely.”