Davey on Strategic Defence Review: get to 3% faster and reverse troop cuts

EMBARGO: 22:30 Sunday 1 June 

• Ed Davey brands 2034 target for 3% defence spending as “far too late” and urges cross-party talks to “move faster”.
• Lib Dems press for full reversal of Conservatives' troop cuts as essential step.

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey has said that “page one” of the Review must include a cast-iron commitment to “boost defence spending to 3% of GDP as soon as possible”.

He said that the 2034 timeline set out by John Healey was “far too late” and showed “a complete lack of urgency” from the Government. The Liberal Democrats have urged cross-party talks to move faster given the threats faced with war on the continent.

The Liberal Democrats first called for a clear roadmap to 3% in January.

The Liberal Democrats are also calling for the Government to commit to a full reversal of the Conservatives’ cut of 10,000 troops in today’s Strategic Defence Review, adding that this is essential to deliver for Britain’s security in an increasingly unstable world.

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said:

"With Putin waging war, Trump undermining NATO and conflicts raging, the Strategic Defence Review must deliver for our armed forces and for Britain's security in an increasingly unstable world. Anything less would be a dereliction of duty.

“Page one of the Review must include a firm commitment to boost defence spending to 3% of GDP as soon as possible. 2034 is far too late given the threats we face, and shows a complete lack of urgency. I urge the Prime Minister to organise cross-party talks to move faster to 3% to keep our nation safe.”

ENDS