‘Deeply cynical’ Sunak’s ‘policy surprise’ doesn’t change the fact next PM will have no time to play politics with defence
The prime minister appears to have had a belated epiphany about the critical importance of defence – and now even National Service.
It was just four months ago that Rishi Sunak’s spokesperson slapped down the outgoing head of the army for advocating the need for civilians to be trained to fight given the dangers of living in what the defence secretary has called “a pre-war world”.
General Sir Patrick Sanders had simply been using a speech to state a blunt reality – war and preparing for war is a whole-nation effort as demonstrated daily by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, where Ukrainian citizen soldiers are fighting and dying on the frontline.
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Ukrainians forced to pretend in training
Rather than support him, a Downing Street spokesperson at the time said that “hypothetical scenarios” involving possible wars were “not helpful” and ruled out any move towards a conscription model for the military.
Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, the chief of the defence staff, and David Williams, the top civil servant at the Ministry of Defence (MoD), apparently even summoned General Sanders for a dressing down over the remarks.
But the army chief had not been suggesting conscription then – just as the prime minister is not doing so now.
He had simply been talking about the need for civilians to be ready to serve.
Given that context, Mr Sunak’s sudden announcement that he would introduce a new form of National Service for 18-year-olds, including the chance to spend 12 months serving in the armed forces, sent eyebrows within the MoD soaring skyward.
“Deeply cynical,” was the verdict of one insider.
Another told Sky News: “This is a policy surprise to me. I haven’t seen it discussed in the Ministry of Defence.”
The need for greater national resilience is a theme that Sky News has been exploring as part of its series Prepared for War?
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Sky News asks: Is the UK ready for war?
We revealed in April that the government has no national plan for the defence of the UK or the mobilisation of its people and industry in a war.
The rallying cry from Mr Sunak for National Service comes after he chose to make defence a central theme of his election campaign even though as prime minister and chancellor he was accused by insiders of pushing back against demands from the military for more funding.
He only finally committed last month to a timeframe for a pledge to lift defence spending to 2.5% of national income from just over 2% at present – saying this would happen by 2030.
Mr Sunak then turned on Sir Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour party, for failing to give the same guarantee – even though that had previously been his position, too.
The main problem facing either the Conservative or Labour leader when it comes to defence is that repeated cost-saving cuts to the armed forces under both administrations since the end of the Cold War have left the UK weaker.
Russia’s full-scale war in Ukraine, growing threats from China, an increasingly aggressive North Korea, and the potential for war with Iran in the Middle East means the world is more dangerous now than at any time since the Cold War.
Read more:
Teenagers will not be jailed for evading National Service
Adam Boulton: Labour could lose votes on defence
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Could China invade Taiwan?
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This will force defence to be a priority in terms of actions rather than just words for whoever becomes the next prime minister.
In fact, their first foreign trip will likely be to Washington on 9 July – just four days after taking office – for a major NATO summit against the backdrop of looming US presidential elections and a potential return of Donald Trump to the White House.
Goals for the summit – which will mark 75 years of the alliance – will include a collective bolstering of defences and resilience to deter external threats as well as a need to demonstrate internally to Mr Trump that NATO is value for money.
Given the gravity of the moment, there will be no time for playing politics with defence.
UK
Constance Marten and partner guilty of concealing birth of child and perverting course of justice
A family has been left “incredibly distraught” after the death of a four-year-old boy in his garden in Ceredigion in west Wales.
Maldwyn “Gwern” Evans died at his home in Tynreithin, Tregaron, on 20 June.
His family described him as a “keen little farmer” who would be remembered for his “captivating personality”.
“As a family, we are incredibly distraught by our tragic loss, and he will be greatly missed by us and the entire community,” they said in a statement issued through Dyfed-Powys Police.
“He was a loving son and a caring brother, who touched the hearts of so many.
“He lived his short life to the fullest and will be remembered for his captivating personality.
“He was an extremely keen little farmer who had knowledge and ability beyond his years.”
They added: “We would like to thank everyone for their support and kindness at this horrific time.
“It has meant so much to the whole family.”
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Dyfed-Powys Police said in a previous statement: “The death is not being treated as suspicious and HM Coroner has been informed.
“Our thoughts are with the family who are receiving support and they have asked for privacy during this difficult time.”
Newly released footage shows the search for missing British teenager Jay Slater continues by both land and air.
The search for the 19-year-old from Lancashire, who is missing in Tenerife, has now entered its tenth day.
He has been missing since Monday 17 June.
The friends he was holidaying with last heard from him at around 8.30am that day.
He told them he planned to walk back to his accommodation after missing a bus – a journey of around 11 hours by foot.
The search currently centres on Masca, a mountainous area on the western tip of the island.
The village, which is home to around 90 inhabitants, lies at an altitude of 650m, and is where Mr Slater is believed to have been when he was last heard from.
Pic: Guardia Civil/X
Pic: Guardia Civil/X
Search continues
The footage from Spanish police comes after Mr Slater’s father said the family were being kept in the dark by some officers.
It shows a helicopter searching the mountainous area, with search teams on foot having been joined by sniffer dogs.
They then enter a wooded area and proceed to search the mountainous region.
In one clip, an officer uses binoculars to try and see if there are any signs of the missing teen.
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Jay Slater’s dad has said police have left him and his family in the dark over the hunt for the missing teen.
The 35-second montage of clips was posted on the X social media platform on the Guardia Civil account.
“We continue with the search for the young British man missing in Tenerife,” police said in the post on Tuesday night.
“Different Guardia Civil units from the area participate, joined by agents, with their dogs specialised in searching for people, from Madrid.”
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But The Times reports that the dogs have not been given a piece of Mr Slater’s clothing for them to pick up a scent.
Cadaver dogs have been trained to pick up the scent of human remains without the need for a specific prompt.
Read more:
Hiker rescued by police searching for Jay Slater
Online sleuths wade into hunt
Mayor Emilio Jose Navarro told the Reuters news agency that some locals have been interviewed by police.
That includes some who claim they saw Mr Slater watching Euro matches on the coast.
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