Labour’s plan to defend Britain better in a more dangerous world

Labour’s Shadow Defence Secretary John Healey has today announced plans for a “stronger strategic centre to meet the challenges of an increasingly dangerous world”, as part of Labour’s determination to “defend Britain better”.

Two years on from the illegal invasion of Ukraine, conflict in the Middle East and increasing threats, Healey said that “over the next decade, we face Putin and an active alliance of aggression - from autocrats who have contempt for international law and freely squander the lives of their own people.” 

In a speech at Policy Exchange, Healey argued that “current defence arrangements are not strong enough to deal with the much more threatening world in the years to come”. He added, “what signal have the Conservatives sent to our adversaries over the last 14 years by “hollowing out” our Armed Forces, creating a recruitment crisis, and shrinking the Army to its smallest size since Napoleon”.  

Healey announced that Labour would “create a stronger defence centre capable of leading Britain’s new government in meeting the increasing threats we must face”, including a full-functioning Military Strategic Headquarters within the Ministry of Defence and more policy muscle for MOD civil servants. Healey added that this “will restore Britain’s military readiness to deter and – if necessary – fight the conflicts this century now threatens.” 

Labour’s MSHQ will increase authority and accountability for the Chief of the Defence Staff. These changes do not create new structures or require additional resource, but will create effective strategic oversight of the services.

Labour’s Shadow Defence Secretary also proposed to create a fully-fledged National Armaments Director to provide strategic leadership in defence procurement. This will “secure better value for public money, cut waste and drive a new defence industrial strategy to make the Forces fit to fight in the future”. Labour has pledged deep defence procurement reform, as over £15B of taxpayers money has been wasted since 2010. 

These announcements will be supported by longer appointments for senior military cheifs, and a stronger voice for MOD civil services in policy and strategy across government, in diplomacy, with industry and into civil society. This will allow the UK to deter threats, defend the country and defeat any attacks.

John Healey MP, Labour’s Shadow Defence Secretary said:

“Labour’s plan for defence will defend Britain better in a more dangerous world.”

“Over the next decade, we face Putin and an active alliance of aggression - from autocrats who have contempt for international law and freely squander the lives of their own people.” 

“What signal have the Conservatives sent to our adversaries over the last 14 years by “hollowing out” our Armed Forces, creating a recruitment crisis, and shrinking the Army to its smallest size since Napoleon”.  

“As part of Labour’s plan for defence to fix this, we will establish a full-functioning Military Strategic Headquarters within the Ministry of Defence to restore Britain’s military readiness, and a National Armaments Director to ensure our Forces have what they need to fight. This will allow the UK to deter threats, defend the country and defeat any attacks.”