No sense in axing 9,000 soldiers now, says Labour
BORIS Johnson is under mounting pressure to reverse defence cuts as he jets to a crunch NATO summit in Madrid today.
The Prime Minister is due to land in the Spanish capital this evening for key talks about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The Tories are axing 9,000 of the Army’s 82,000 soldiers and a third of its main battle tanks.
The cuts to tanks were announced a year ago – nine months before Kremlin troops invaded Ukraine in February.
An £800million deal was agreed to supply the Army with 148 upgraded Challenger 3 vehicles. But the overall number of tanks will be cut from 227.
In an exclusive Mirror interview, Shadow Defence Secretary John Healey called on Mr Johnson to
halt the cuts in light of Vladimir Putin’s assault.
He said: “It beggars belief that the Government hasn’t been ready to rethink its plans.
“We have had deep cuts to Britain’s defences for the last decade, which have left the foundations for our armed forces weakened.
“It makes no sense to be cutting even deeper into the British Army.”
Mr Healey, 62, admitted part of his job was reassuring voters about Labour’s commitment to NATO following Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership.
Mr Corbyn had repeatedly criticised the alliance.
Mr Healey said: “Labour’s commitment to NATO is unshakable.”