TAN DHESI: ‘Britain cannot afford to float as world will get extra harmful’
‘Conflict in the Middle East has spread across the region, causing a humanitarian crisis, and piling pressure on UK Forces already doing more with less’, Tan Dhesi, the Defence Committee chair writes
Britain is more exposed than at any point since the Cold War, the chair of the Defence Committee warned(Image: Getty Images)
Britain is more exposed than at any point since the Cold War.
Conflict in the Middle East has spread across the region, causing a humanitarian crisis, straining our partners and piling pressure on UK Forces already doing more with less. As if that wasn’t enough, Moscow has been watching — with Russian submarines tracking the undersea cables that keep our country running. Meanwhile Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has not let up. Ukrainians are fighting every day for their survival.
This is what a more dangerous world looks like — and Britain is not as ready as we should be. The Government hasn’t yet risen to the occasion — and time is not on our side. It needs to start moving much, much faster.
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Last year the Strategic Defence Review set out the long-term vision for our military, but the Defence Investment Plan, or the “DIP”, was meant to provide the details. The Government knows what needs fixing — but the plan to do it, promised for last autumn, is still missing. Months have been lost. In today’s world, that matters.
The lack of a public plan now runs the risk of undermining UK defence, from our vital defence industry to our relationships with partners. For British people, this matters more than Whitehall process. Defence plans guide what kit our forces train with, what equipment is built — from drones and aircraft to tanks and ships — and whether Britain can stand on its own two feet in a crisis.
Without the DIP, we have no plan. No clear direction. No reassurance for our forces or the industry that supports them. Allies want to know not just what Britain says, but what it is prepared to deliver. Uncertainty breeds doubt — and doubt weakens deterrence. And now reports appear to confirm that the Defence Readiness Bill won’t be included in the King’s Speech – another knock for UK defence.
Our nation’s safety is not a party-political issue. My committee is a cross-party group of MPs that holds the Government to account on defence. Members of the committee are seeing the same worrying pattern: deadlines missed, decisions delayed, urgency lacking. Our warnings are based on hard evidence heard in public — from senior military leaders, defence firms, and frontline voices — not party talking points.
For years now we’ve heard that our Armed Forces are “hollowed out” and that we are in a pre-war age. Well, then where is the action? This is too important – we can’t tolerate any further dithering. Whatever is blocking progress in the Ministry of Defence must be cleared — now. Britain cannot afford to drift while the world around us grows more dangerous.
‘Give Slough a chance’
Move over Betjeman and Brent, Slough might be the target of punchlines and lazy journo hit pieces, but don’t underestimate this great town Slough’s reputation often precedes it, but its history, culture and technology reach far further than you might think. It’s a huge business and tech hub, delivering for the whole country. It has the second largest concentration of data centres in the world, highest GVA per head in the UK and the largest number of UK corporate HQs outside of London, making it an ideal candidate for a Government’s AI Growth Zone. It’s also the people that make Slough. It’s the community spirit, the multicultural and creative melting pot, with over 150 languages spoken and Pinewood and Shinfield Studios just on our doorstep. So forget what you’ve heard – Slough is on the up!
‘Sikh war heroes deserve national memorial’
For many years I have been President of the National Sikh War Memorial Trust working hard, alongside Chairman Andrew Fane and other trustees, to deliver on a memorial for the over 100,000 Sikh soldiers injured during major conflicts and both World Wars. I know personally the importance of this; my great-grandfather lost a leg fighting in the First World War and my grandmother’s brother and other family members fought in the Second World War. It’s crucial we have a national memorial.
“Artemis II should inspire us all”
Watching Artemis II’s journey, humans travelling further from Earth than ever before, was truly inspirational. This project will undoubtedly achieve more incredible milestones and allow us fresh insights into space. Nothing quite shows the endless possibilities of human achievement than space exploration. Welcome home Artemis II!
