Tory MPs on verge of rebelling over defence cut fears
A “VERY substantial” Tory revolt over funding for the Armed Forces is looming, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson was warned yesterday.
In his first Commons Questions since taking on his new role, the Cabinet minister was given an early signal of the strength of feeling among backbenchers about the defence budget.
The broadside followed reports that a review by national security adviser Mark Sedwill is to recommend a greater investment in the capability for fighting cyber-attacks – at the expense of the Army, Navy and RAF.
Mr Williamson vowed to do everything possible to defend Armed Forces’ cash. Tory backbencher James Gray urged him to “speak to the Prime Minister and remind her that her primary duty is defence of the realm”.
Mr Gray said: “Will he speak to the national security adviser, and indeed the Secretary of State at the Cabinet Office, to remind them that they must not use this review as some kind of camouflage to cut our services?
“Will he speak to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to make sure he digs deep in his pockets to produce the money we need?” He warned: “And above all, will he speak to the Chief Whip to remind him if he does not do so he’s going to be facing a very substantial rebellion?”
Mr Williamson said he takes the primary responsibility “exceptionally seriously” and would “do everything” he could to deliver.
He is expected to meet Philip Hammond later this week to discuss the £36billion annual budget for defence. Mr Williamson is understood to want an extra £2billion to prevent reductions in personnel and equipment.
The Defence Secretary also hinted that he wanted annual funding for defence to be increased above the minimum two per cent of national income level set by the Government in recognition of a Nato target.
Tory MP Julian Lewis, chairman of the Defence Select Committee, suggested rising expenditure to three per cent of GDP would “prevent Armed Forces being further hollowed out”.