The thing that really grips me is that we have a S of S for Defence who has already accepted that the Budget will probably decline but is confident that the PM, who's committed to strong Defence (hidden that well), will save the day.
What's the bloody point of a S of S for Defence who isn't going to fight the corner? It reminds me of a certain CDS who complained to a certain PM about lack of Defence funds to be told that he would need to convince a certain Chancellor of the Exchequer. One didn't acquire the nickname Teflon for nothing.