What are the UK's "vital interests"

[Heathrow Harry]

With an election on the horizon and no doubt another series of defence reviewsd (or "cuts" as we called them when I was a lad) what do Ppruners think are the UK's absolutely vital interests?

I'd say the absolute basic minimum is:-

1. Defence of the realm against outsiders

2. Internal security support

3. NATO ops

4. Marine security in the N Atlantic

Important but not vital:-

5. The deterrent

6. the odds and sodds of Empire such as the FI


Not Important:-

Anything E of Suez, anything in Africa, the America's or the Middle East


Thoughts and suggestions welcome - can't see the rabble in Westminster being very happy - they'd like the lot for no cost at all

[Genstabler]

The UK's vital interests are:

1. Maintenance of our independent national sovereignty.
2. Security of our sovereign territory.
3. Safeguarding of our democratic system of government.
4. Protection of our national industrial and economic interests.
5. Enhancing the security, health and quality of life of our population.
6. Protection and improvement of our environment.

[NutLoose]

90% of the population said... Curry, Beer and Football.

[Fox3WheresMyBanana]

What are George Osborne's business friends' Vital Interests?

p.s. Nutloose - the Government is failing big time on at least one of those !

[Herod]

Genstabler. Agree, and suggest:

For 1, we need (I think) the deterrent, and for 4&5, an independent source of energy. (Fracking/nuclear anyone?)

[Fox3WheresMyBanana]

May I suggest that at the root of 3. - 6., and arguably all points, is Education, and the UK is going rapidly downhill on that one.

[NutLoose]

Totally agree Herod, none of the UK's energy companies or utilities should be in foreign hands.., Oil, Gas, Electricity, Nuclear, Water, Rail.

[Gemini Twin]

Where ever did you get the idea that the government is interested in the nations vital interests?

[Fox3WheresMyBanana]

http://www.husky-owners.com/forum/uploads/monthly_03_2014/post-6001-0-28986000-1395519968.gif
A Level Government & Politics ?
http://www.edexcel.com/migrationdocuments/GCE%20New%20GCE/UA035236_GCE_Lin_GovPol_Issue_4.pdf
(which shows how crap it is)

[Lonewolf_50]

90% of the population said... Curry, Beer and Football.
What? Fish and Chips did not make the top 3?

Dire times indeed! :eek:

[Heathrow Harry]

replaced as the National Dish by Chicken Tikka Marsala abort 20 years ago................

[Heathrow Harry]

"4. Protection of our national industrial and economic interests."

does that have any geographical limit??

[Genstabler]

Geographical limits? Not politically. If you mean militarily, then of course. We no longer can afford world wide reach.

[Willard Whyte]

90% of the population said... Curry, Beer and Football.

Count me in the other 10%.

(Chinese, Red Wine, 4-wheeled motorsport)

[Roland Pulfrew]

90% of the population said... Curry, Beer and Football.

Damn, I'm in the minority as well: Curry, beer and Rugby!

[oldpax]

should not "population"read citizens?

[Genstabler]

Not all our population are citizens.

[Heathrow Harry]

some are Lords

[CoffmanStarter]

How about republishing the British Empire Map (c. 1897) and then working out how we get all the Pink bits back ... plus a few other places :E

http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af162/CoffmanStarter/imagejpg1_zpsc6583306.jpg

Clearly we will need to "invest" significantly in our Armed Services :D ... But with the right "protectorate" acquisitions it could all be self funding :ok:

[NutLoose]

(Chinese, Red Wine, 4-wheeled motorsport)

Chinese, White Wine and F1 here..

[Heathrow Harry]

"But with the right "protectorate" acquisitions it could all be self funding"

Canada maybe - Oztralia perhaps - the rest just looks like the bottomless pit the Empire was