We said at the election in May, this Government would be about security - economic and national. This week in Parliament it has been about both.
On Monday we had first sight of the Strategic Defence and Security Review as outlined by the Prime Minister. The SDSR is a comprehensive blueprint that sets out how we harness all the tools of national power and it rightly makes clear we cannot choose between conventional defences against state-based threats and the need to counter threats that do not recognise national borders. It prioritises the need to deter state-based activity, tackle terrorism, remain a world leader in cyber security and ensure we have the capability to respond rapidly to crises as they emerge.
As I said in the House of Commons this week, I welcome the UK's commitment to spending 2% of our GDP on defence and 0.7% on international aid. We remain the only major country in the world today to do that and both are only possible because we have a strong and growing economy.
I think the significant defence interests we have locally (and of course across wider Hampshire), not to mention the people who rely on it for their livelihoods, will welcome much of the SDSR. Portsmouth will have a very strong future for-instance, not least as the Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier will be based there
These are incredibly serious times and the decisions we MPs will likely have to take in the next few weeks are among the toughest we face. They weigh heavy indeed and I am grateful to the many constituents who have already been in touch to give me their opinion on possible military action in Syria. I know there will be more to come.
My approach will be careful and measured as always and I will want to study the full spectrum approach as the Government makes the case for Britain to join our international allies in going after ISIL at its headquarters in Syria, not just Iraq. In particular, I want to know how such action will be one element of a comprehensive and long-term strategy to defeat ISIL, in parallel with a major international effort to bring an end to the war in Syria. I would urge all constituents to study carefully the statement from David Cameron as presented to Parliament today (Thursday).
Finally, economic security. As I write the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement is still to come but I have been in Parliament long enough now to know this is a big moment that dictates much of the rhythm of the next five years. For months each Department has been fighting its corner with the Treasury, and I have no doubt there will be announcements to surprise us all when George Osborne speaks. I am pleased as part of the Department of Health team that Jeremy Hunt has guaranteed the NHS will receive an additional £10 billion a year above inflation by 2020, with £6 billion frontloaded by the first year of the Spending Review.
The NHS needs many things right now but less money is not one of them so this is good news and what we promised.
You can find more information about my wider work as your local MP, in Westminster and the constituency at www.stevebrine.com or through 01962 791110.
Steve Brine
MP for Winchester & Chandler’s Ford