Security comes first

FOR sovereign nations to guarantee their security in these turbulent times, it is crucial they retain independence in three strategic sectors: defence, energy and food.

Britain, depressingly, is making a hash of each. Even as we retreat from Afghanistan, private equity sharks are snapping up the defence industry’s jewels.

We are becoming dangerously reliant on foreign firms to keep our lights on.

And now the supermarkets, which helped feed the UK during the pandemic, are in the buyout barons’ sights – with Morrisons, and possibly Sainsbury’s, on the shopping list.

If these raiders succeed, could they be counted upon in a future crisis to keep the shelves stacked? Or would they cut and run, pillaging the firm’s assets and axing staff? Naturally, boards see bids as opportunities to fill their boots. But to any deal that threatens the interests of the realm, ministers must say a firm ‘no’.