He's opening the debate (
) about something that's been talked about in the Armed forces for a while, I think the short version is
Does Britain want to have a dominant role on the world stage?
Two choices,
a, No,
Stay at home, small defence force, loss of capability and assets but current funding levels just about suitable, bin nukes
b, Yes,
Big world role for the UK (still missing the Empire?) requiring increased funding, new equipment, enhanced training etc – all of which will go down like a lead balloon with the treasury and Mr G Brown
Of course governments of all political shades want option b, with the funding of option a,
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6254253.stm