Fallon's Fantasy

Sir Michael Fallon has been Secretary of State for Defence since July 2014.  Apart from a short spell running a few children's nurseries, he does not appear to have interrupted his political career with proper jobs, least of all those that might have been helpful in conferring any advantage to understanding his current role.

In December 2014, in interview for the Sunday telegraph, Fallon opined that the thought the size of the Armed Forces “about right.” At the time, I asked on this Blog, about right for what?  Yesterday Fallon provided some welcome clarity conceding, “a national security capability review was being carried out because of increased threats to Britain (not affordability, mind you). Since we are under increased threat it would be logical to expect our Government to increase our defence posture accordingly. But far from it; we are leaked dire warnings of £20 to £30 billion black holes in the defence budget and the need for significant cuts in capability to compensate. The national security capability review isn’t a threat-based capability review at all, it is all about money.

Fallon has previously claimed that more diversity in the Armed Forces would lead to greater operational efficiency – perhaps he and Maria Miller have some cunning plan to keep us all safer? Diversity wasn’t top of the agenda when I served, mostly during  the Cold War, so I don’t know whether this will work, and I don’t advise taking the risk.

The truth of the matter is obvious – this government is more concerned about bribing the electorate to re-elect it than it is for the defence of the realm. Sir Michael Fallon may be safe pair of hands in Conservative politic, but more courage is required from our leaders charged with such fundamental responsibility.