UKNDA survey of British MPs

publication date: May 17, 2008

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author/source: UKNDA

MPs believe the armed forces are ‘stretched to capacity’ as survey reveals cross-party support for defence spending increase 

Poll shows that a majority of MPs believe Britain’s armed forces are under-funded and over-stretched. 

A third of Gordon Brown’s backbenchers say defence spending should rise. 

90% of Conservative MPs defy leadership to call for defence spending increase.  
 

A poll by ComRes for the United Kingdom National Defence Association (UKNDA) shows that over half of all MPs (54%) believe that spending on our armed forces should rise. This includes more than a third (36%) of Labour MPs.  

Almost three quarters of Labour MPs (73%) argue that Britain’s Armed Forces are currently stretched to capacity and will not be able to take on any additional responsibilities without an increase in resources. 

Support for a boost to the defence budget is strongest on the Opposition benches, with nine out of 10 Conservatives (91%) backing an increase, despite Shadow Chancellor George Osborne’s refusal to make commitments on defence in advance of the General Election. 

Commander John Muxworthy, UKNDA Chief Executive, commented: "This is not a party political issue. MPs of all parties recognise that our armed forces are severely over-stretched and that spending needs to rise to address the chronic under-funding at a time when they are heavily deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Our servicemen and their families are paying a heavy price for official neglect of the Nation’s defence.   

“Funding for Britain’s armed forces must increase as a matter of urgency. The funding decisions taken over the next two years, before and after the General Election, will have a far-reaching impact on the ability of our forces to defend this Nation and its interests." 

The survey also showed that at a time when support is growing for an annual ‘Armed Forces Day’ to recognise and celebrate the role of Britain’s army, navy and air force, a majority of MPs from across the political spectrum believes that the public does not yet have a good understanding of the demands placed on our armed forces.  

UKNDA this week launches a nation-wide ‘Support our Armed Forces’ campaign (www.supportourarmedforces.org.uk) to mobilise public support for the armed forces and a renewal of the Nation’s Covenant with the military.

-Ends 

For further information or interview opportunities please contact:

Cdr. John Muxworthy, CEO, UKNDA, tel 01264 860693, email ceo@uknda.org

Andy Smith, PRO, UKNDA, tel: 07737 271676, email pro@uknda.org 

Editor’s Notes:

1. Support for an increase is strongest in London, the South and the Midlands (63–64%). Nationally, MPs in the most marginal seats are most supportive, with 75% from the marginals calling for an increase.   

2. The poll was carried out between 18 February and 14 March.  159 MPs took part in self-completion postal questionnaires, with data weighted to reflect the exact composition of the House of Commons in terms of region and party. Please see www.comres.co.uk for further details.

3. The United Kingdom National Defence Association (UKNDA) was formed in 2007 to campaign for sufficient, appropriate and fully-funded armed forces that the Nation needs to defend effectively this Country, its people, their security and vital interests at home and wherever they may be.  Its President is Winston S Churchill, the former Conservative MP, war correspondent, and grandson of Britain’s wartime Prime Minister. UKNDA’s Patrons include three former Chiefs of the Defence Staff – Lords Guthrie, Craig and Boyce – as well as former Labour Foreign Secretary Lord Owen and former Liberal Democrat Leader Sir Menzies Campbell.  UKNDA calls for a total 40% increase in the defence budget, to bring spending on the armed forces up to 3% of GDP.