Britain is at a crossroads. As we
leave the EU, we face a great challenge and also the opportunity to forge a new
identity in an increasingly uncertain world. Our Armed Forces will be critical
to our power and prosperity.
For centuries, they have been the
envy of the world. Now barely a day passes without reports of diminishing
prowess. The number of Navy workhorse ships has been halved and the Army
reduced to its smallest size since the Napoleonic war. Our spectacular new
aircraft carriers and the F-35 fighter jet programme are mired in controversy.
Meanwhile, the Armed Forces face questions about their purpose. The bitter
experiences of Iraq and Afghanistan have undermined the concept of the military
as a 'force for good.' Voters are now sceptical of discretionary wars in
faraway places. Aside from sporadic jihadi attacks, few believe there is any real
threat to our way of life.
leave the EU, we face a great challenge and also the opportunity to forge a new
identity in an increasingly uncertain world. Our Armed Forces will be critical
to our power and prosperity.
For centuries, they have been the
envy of the world. Now barely a day passes without reports of diminishing
prowess. The number of Navy workhorse ships has been halved and the Army
reduced to its smallest size since the Napoleonic war. Our spectacular new
aircraft carriers and the F-35 fighter jet programme are mired in controversy.
Meanwhile, the Armed Forces face questions about their purpose. The bitter
experiences of Iraq and Afghanistan have undermined the concept of the military
as a 'force for good.' Voters are now sceptical of discretionary wars in
faraway places. Aside from sporadic jihadi attacks, few believe there is any real
threat to our way of life.
Share This Book: