Warmongering UKIP backing 2% defence spending target

[Chippiewill]

UKIP will commit to spending 2% of the UK's GDP on defence if it plays a role in government after the election.

Economic spokesman Patrick O'Flynn said the guarantee could be "comfortably met" by reducing the foreign aid budget, scrapping the HS2 rail link and reducing public funding for Scotland.

Party leader Nigel Farage also promised more money for the NHS.

He said most of Britain is not feeling an economic bounce, but his party's plans would help "ordinary people."

So far, both the Conservatives and Labour have refused to say they will ensure defence spending does not dip below 2% of GDP.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-32015331

Great, lets strip back public services in exchange for power projection.

[scottish]

I agree with it remaining at 2% but UKIP won't be in power so it doesn't matter

[-:Undertaker:-]

Defence should be kept at 2% and even increased should we manage to get spending under control.

A lot of savings in defence can actually be found within the existing budget too, such as procurement. The MoD has been caught a number of times buying French and German vechicles over American vechicles or planes which were x10 as expensive and not nearly near as good enough.

The other month HM Government had to call for the help of the American Navy in Scotland due to a Russian submarine. It's unacceptable.


Great, lets strip back public services in exchange for power projection.

Less diversity courses in the public sector and more soldiers, tanks and military equipment. Sounds good to me.

[scottish]

Defence should be kept at 2% and even increased should we manage to get spending under control.


Indeed, Russia has basically been testing our defences monthly (verging on invading our air space, waters, etc).

Pretty sure people have already warned about the 2% (people as in high ranking US officials etc)

[dbgtz]

Should be mentioned that NATO advises members to spend 2% of gdp on defence so the title is quite misleading

[scottish]

Should be mentioned that NATO advises members to spend 2% of gdp on defence so the title is quite misleading

That's his intent :P

[xxMATTGxx]

Defence should be kept at 2% and even increased should we manage to get spending under control.

A lot of savings in defence can actually be found within the existing budget too, such as procurement. The MoD has been caught a number of times buying French and German vechicles over American vechicles or planes which were x10 as expensive and not nearly near as good enough.

The other month HM Government had to call for the help of the American Navy in Scotland due to a Russian submarine. It's unacceptable.



Less diversity courses in the public sector and more soldiers, tanks and military equipment. Sounds good to me.

It is shocking that the UK does not have it's own patrol aircraft that can track and chase down submarines for it's own borders. We used to but they got scrapped!

[dbgtz]

That's his intent :P

Yeah but it's not exactly building up a mass fleet for destruction as suggested in the title, it's just following what's recommended.