Sometimes it takes a crisis to fully reveal the cold, hard truth. The Iran war has done just that in relation to Britain's military readiness. Over many years there have been countless warnings of under-investment in our Armed Forces, and now the conflict in the Middle East has exposed just how grave the situation has become.
Delayed Deployment and International Embarrassment
Ten days after the first missiles fell on Tehran, the Royal Navy finally despatched a single warship to protect British military interests in the Mediterranean. It is approaching a laughing stock – something that has not gone unnoticed by Emmanuel Macron.
The French president visited Cyprus, the location of the RAF Akrotiri airbase, and told islanders they can 'count on France'. He landed by helicopter aboard the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, to crow: 'An attack on Cyprus is an attack on all Europe.'
Britain's Aircraft Carrier Dilemma
By contrast, Britain's two aircraft carriers (price tag: more than £3 billion apiece) both remain at port, with one – HMS Queen Elizabeth – thought to be months away from returning to service after drawn-out repairs to its propulsion systems. The HMS Dragon leaves Portsmouth on Tuesday - 10 days after conflict in the Middle East ramped up.
Political Failures and Leadership Blame
Political leaders, both current and former, must share the blame for failing to heed the warnings about our depleted military. But Sir Keir Starmer alone bears responsibility for the vacillation that has enraged the White House and left other allies questioning Britain's military relevance.
If Argentina were to invade the Falkland Islands tomorrow there would be next to no chance that Britain could send a Thatcher-style taskforce to take them back, if Labour were even capable of such patriotism. In the event of a wider conflict, we would be more dependent than ever on America, yet Starmer's peacenik folly has left us distrusted and unloved.
Recovery Requires Drastic Measures
Recovery from this dire position will require billions redirected to defence from the over-inflated welfare state, our indulgent asylum system and sloppy Whitehall budget-keeping. If Labour fails to rise to the challenge in light of what we now know about the state of our Armed Forces it faces being accused of nothing less than treason.
Controversial March Amidst Conflict
Despite the war, the Al Quds march – a creation of the Iranian regime – is set to go ahead in London this weekend. Only one Labour minister, Sarah Sackman, has broken ranks so far and called for it to be banned. The rest of her toothless party is too scared to speak up in case it loses them Muslim votes in marginal constituencies.
Starmer's No10 passed the buck, saying the police should decide whether it should be outlawed. The Metropolitan Police, however, has turned a blind eye to similar anti-Semitic protests, so is unlikely to act. Shamefully, even as Iranian mullahs rain missiles on our allies, this country's liberal elite refuse to open their eyes to the truth.
Misplaced Priorities: Digital Identity Cards
Labour is blindly pursuing its obsession with digital identity cards. Ministers have been unable to state their purpose, apart from generic references to 'convenience', and cannot say how much they will cost. The sole genuine benefit of the scheme – tackling illegal working – will no longer be possible after compulsory registration was abandoned.
The Government should drop this white elephant and instead divert the money to critical areas: first and foremost to the defence of the realm. This misplaced priority highlights how political decisions continue to undermine national security at a time when military readiness has never been more crucial.
