Ex-NATO chief warns UK defence complacency puts country at risk

Former defence chiefs have warned that the UK’s security is at risk due to what they describe as corrosive complacency on defence. Lord George Robertson, a former NATO secretary-general who helped shape the Strategic Defence Review, will argue in a forthcoming speech that the country is underprepared and underinsured, with non-military Treasury thinking labeled as vandalism. He will insist Britain must commit to meaningful investment to meet current and future challenges.\n\nOther senior voices joined the chorus: Malcolm Rifkind argued that defence is the government’s prime responsibility and suggested funding could come from welfare cuts or higher income tax to ensure long-term protection. Jack Straw praised Robertson’s intervention, stressing the urgency of settling a defence spending programme that meets Britain’s needs now and in the future.\n\nMeanwhile, former Defence Secretary Ben Wallace voiced frustration with a Prime Minister who speaks about defence but does not back it with adequate funding, urging leadership rather than spin. Downing Street rejected the criticisms, insisting the armed forces are operating worldwide to keep people safe at home.\n\nThe bonfire of commentary comes as Defence Secretary John Healey has reiterated that the UK is ready to defend itself, underscoring a broader, ongoing debate over how best to fund Britain’s long-term security. The moment marks a climate of heightened scrutiny over defence policy and the risks of delaying critical investment.

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