Lib Dems: Conservatives’ “despicable” defence plans target the most vulnerable

EMBARGO: 2200 Wednesday 2nd September 2026

Responding to the Conservative Party's announcement on its plans for defence spending, Liberal Democrat Defence Spokesperson, James MacCleary MP, said: 

"The Conservative Party spent nearly a decade hollowing out our military - leaving our Army and Navy at their smallest since the Napoleonic and Civil Wars - while undermining our security through their botched Brexit deal.

"We wouldn’t be in this position if they hadn’t ripped us out of Europe and torched our economy to the tune of up to £90 billion in lost tax revenues just last year. To now try to fill the black hole they created by piling the cost onto the poorest and most vulnerable children is despicable. It’s always those with the least that are left to pay the highest price with the Conservatives.

"The Liberal Democrats have consistently set out a responsible way to give our Armed Forces the funding boost they urgently need. Defence Bonds would raise £20 billion over two years and provide a secure, ring-fenced way to strengthen our sovereign capability and support our defence sector. Our plan to rejoin the single market would turbocharge our economy - delivering the tax revenues needed to rebuild our defences and end this inexcusable era of stagnation.”

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

£90bn in lost tax revenues detailed here.