Originally Posted by
Buster15
While your analysis seems sound...
It’s not sound it’s nonsense.
‘A strong defence is only possible with a strong economy’, this is the latest Conservative tag line to answer any problem. What constitutes a strong economy? What is a strong defence? It is a meaningless soundbite.
‘Our economy is a lot weaker than many on here think it is’, various international organisations rate the UK economy as the 5/6 largest in the world. Despite current political turmoil we are still growing. Politicians, technocrats, financiers and most people acknowledge that the UK economy is in pretty good shape albeit with some problems.
‘Would it be more accurate to ask why do politicians choose not to defend the country properly?’ Indeed but the question could also be why does the military squander such a large budget and fail to deliver what it promises?
Broomsticks comments on debt to GDP are statistically accurate but incomplete. As PDR says who owns that debt and how/when can they call it in? Due to quantative easing the BoE currently holds 25% of it. The 88% figure sounds awful until you consider in the early 1950s our ratio was above 200% and defence spending over 5% of GDP for the entire decade. For perspective Japans current debt to GDP ratio 240%, France 96, Spain 99, Italy 132, you get the idea.
In short the UKs finances are nothing like Carillion or any other private company, we are not teetering on the edge of bankruptcy and our creditors can not just demand their money back.
‘Proper defences’ whatever that means? Defence capabilities are a matter for government on the advice of the chiefs. Just what that advice should be is something we will never agree on this forum.
Broomsticks post was ill informed tripe.