Darren Hall, the Green Party candidate for Bristol West, has said his party has no plans for further defence cuts beyond those already set by the coalition government, contradicting policies on the party's website.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Hall stated: "It might surprise people to know that the Green party has no plans to make further cuts to defence spending over and above what has been set out by the coalition government other than, of course, our well-understood position on Trident." He added that in the short term, the party would not go beyond coalition cuts.
However, the party's website outlines policies voted on by members, including a principle of "minimum military preparations" and a view that a "large standing army, a navy of large warships, squadrons of fighter planes and a cripplingly expensive missile defence system is therefore unnecessary". The site also proposes reforming the Territorial Army and decommissioning some training areas as nature reserves.
A Green Party spokesperson said the commitment to maintain current spending was short-term, while the online policies were longer-term aims. The party's manifesto, due to be released, will contain policies for the next parliament.
Hall, a former RAF engineering officer, is standing against Liberal Democrat MP Stephen Williams in Bristol West, a key target seat for the Greens. He emphasised that defence is a primary role of government and that the UK should play a full role in European defence capabilities.
The Green Party remains committed to scrapping Trident, the UK's nuclear missile submarine programme, which is expected to cost £40bn over nine years. The party suggests converting military industries to produce socially useful products, such as renewable energy technologies.
