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Stewart McDonald MP responds to Gavin Williamson’s speech

Stewart McDonald MP, SNP Spokesperson for Defence, responded to Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson’s speech at the Conservative Party conference.

“The Defence Secretary speaks as if the Tories are the great protectors of all things Defence, but the fact the MoD is facing a funding gap of at least £20 billion over the next decade shows his party truly lacks credibility on the issue.

“Whilst it is welcome that HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark will be retained, without significant investment and commitments to reversing the man power shortage, it would seem that cuts elsewhere to Royal Naval capabilities will follow.

“Instead of offering anything to our armed forces in his speech, the Defence Secretary decided to use the armed forces as a political football between Labour and the Tories, and posture over his party’s commitment to the broken and needless Trident system – which is also facing a facing a £2.9 billion ‘affordability gap’.

“We in the SNP have been clear that our armed forces deserve better. It’s time that the money wasted on Trident was scrapped, and conventional defence and our armed personnel are given the funding it needs.”