I think Tom Sharpe has made some excellent points. The key is that whilst the quality of HM Forces is still very high, the quantity is well, well below that required to defend the UK s interests. Even more than that, from a numbers point of view [both personnel and numbers of a/c, ships, weapons and ammunition], the UK is barely in a position to defend itself. Reminiscent of the 1930s..................
If you want to live in a free democracy, you have to be prepared to invest in a military able to defend it. The alternative is horrendous.