Defend us
THE lack of urgency over our defence is worrying, if not a little terrifying.
For decades after the end of the Cold War successive Governments were complacent about the threats from Russia and China and allowed military spending and numbers to dwindle.
Even now, with top brass warning that Putin is limbering up for World War Three if he conquers Ukraine, Downing Street merely says spending will rise to 2.5 per cent of GDP “as soon as economic conditions allow”.
That doesn’t sound like a Government taking the threat seriously.
It is true the Tories have already significantly hiked defence spending, albeit from a low base.
From tongue scraping to saying no, here are 12 health trends to try in 2023
But there was no more in the Budget — a stark omission.
When Security Minister Tom Tugendhat, an Iraq and Afghanistan veteran, says we should be spending 2.5 per cent NOW he’s bang on.
Other public spending should be cut to free up billions to get that to three per cent at least.
The first duty of Government is to safeguard its citizens’ lives. Everything else is secondary.
Stop the rot
THE Tories are wasting their time trying to scare the Reform Party or its voters about the prospect of a Labour Government.
Reform doesn’t care.
It is true its rising poll ratings are a threat to a Tory Party already in trouble.
Every ex-Tory voter who switches to Reform increases the chance of a Labour Government — perhaps with a big majority.
And that would usher in a new era those voters are likely to detest.
But Reform doesn’t seem as interested in keeping Labour out as it is in trying to wipe the Tories off the political map.
How to de-clutter if you have a beauty stash to last you a lifetime
It wants to replace them as the party of the Right.
It hopes Lee Anderson’s defection proves a watershed moment.
The Tories can’t scare Reform voters.
They can counter the threat only by winning them back with robust policies and the drive to see them through.
So stop hoping to please Home Counties liberals already committed to voting Labour or Lib-Dem.
Take action to win back others, including in Red Wall seats.
That starts with immigration . . . by at least halving the vast number arriving legally — and eliminating the total arriving illegally.
And we’re off
JUST when things were looking bleak, the four-day Cheltenham festival gallops to the rescue.
So let’s try to put aside war, the economy and political strife.
Instead let’s enjoy some racing, have a flutter and maybe win a few quid.
We all need a break, so make the most of it. It won’t be furlong.