Quote Originally Posted by Aemilius Paulus View Post
Of course not, but most countries can use a defence spending cut, especially with their economy in such a state.

They are the main ones under possible danger. Can you give me another similar example of a British possession threatened by a nation with a viable military? Gibraltar ? Argentina is the measuring stick for the Brits, as I said. It was my understand that if the UK had a comfortable superiority against the Argentinian forces, that would be enough for anything else. Or are you worried the Litvinenko affair may escalate ? I could very well be mistaken here, but I would need you to point out where more vital and threatened interests of Britain lay.

You could have just enjoyed our rare agreement, moment of convergence on the issues of that outspoken MEP and left it at that, but noooo, you conservatives....
The first duty of the sovereign nation state, the provision of internal and external security, should not be subject to such budgetary belt-tightening when it:
> occupies a mere 5% of annual government spending
> is not the cause of the present financial difficulties
> has not been grossly inflated in recent years, and therefore likely to be packed with waste

oh how wrong you are, Britains military responsibilities extend far beyond such piffling local matters as the falklands:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British...ent_operations

no, sadly i have the inescapable need to disagree with people who i believe to be misguided. :)