Britain’s bright future

SIR – Defence of the realm and a strong economy are the key responsibilities of the Prime Minister, the Chancellor and the Cabinet. These two subjects should be of central importance in the forthcoming Queen’s Speech.

To resume a global role, our Armed Forces need funding equivalent to 3 per cent of GDP per annum, not

2 per cent, and cash up front now. The continued hollowing-out of defence is rapidly undermining morale.

Though the economy is normally a Conservative strength, the party’s manifesto was clearly anti-business. Just over half of our workforce is employed in small family businesses, and the vast majority of business owners have great empathy for their staff. They deserve to be treated with trust and respect, and it is vital that much unnecessary regulation is rapidly removed. Their success is the key to the country’s future.

In the Eighties, some of us were heavily involved in undoing the damage inflicted by the ideology then espoused by Labour. Young people in particular must be made aware of how dangerous the extreme revival of this Marxist ideology would be.

The Government must get back to governing and ensure that Brexit negotiations are not undermined. Having been involved in global trade most of my working life, I have no doubt that this extraordinary island race will look back and recognise this as the new beginning of a great future.

Lord Sterling (Con) London SW1