Sarah Ingham: The National Conversation on defence must answer some awkward questions
Dr. Sarah Ingham emphasizes the urgent need for a National Conversation on defense in light of recent geopolitical tensions, particularly the Iran conflict. The British government is facing challenges in boosting defense spending while addressing public skepticism about military priorities. A comprehensive dialogue involving citizens is essential for enhancing national resilience and preparedness for potential threats.
- ▪The Iran conflict has intensified discussions about Britain's defense needs.
- ▪The government plans to increase defense spending from 2.3% to 3.5% of GDP by 2035, costing an additional £32 billion annually.
- ▪A National Conversation on defense is necessary to engage the public and address skepticism about military funding.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Dr Sarah Ingham is the author of The Military Covenant: its impact on civil-military relations in Britain. The Iran conflict is making the case for defence more forcefully than a decade of articles, think tank commentary, Defence Select Committee reports or debates in Parliament put together. The impact of United States’ Operation Epic Fury is being felt on the British economy and in turn, on household bills. Fuel and energy costs are going up, as is inflation. Iran highlighted myriad problems within Britain’s defence sector, particularly in the Navy, reflected by the HMS Dragon (or Drag-On) debacle. More positively, it offers the chance to kick-start the National Conversation on defence.
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