https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/stop-arms-race-campaigners-tell-politicians

ANTI-WAR campaigners demanded a stop to the new arms race today, after Tories and Labour united in support of boosting military spending to 2.5 per cent of gross domestic product.

The Establishment embraced a new spasm of militarisation as PM Rishi Sunak announced in Warsaw that Britain would crank up its arms bill to the new target by the end of the decade.

This would put an “additional £75 billion into defence spending over that period,” Defence Secretary Grant Shapps told MPs.

Mr Shapps claimed a “much more dangerous world” made the commitment necessary, citing alleged threats from Russia, Iran and China.

Both he and Mr Sunak spoke of the arms industry going onto a “war footing” and urged all Nato member states to match Britain’s new target.

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“Labour will always do what is required, spend what is required, on defence” shadow defence secretary John Healey assured the Commons.

Both parties are out of line with public opinion on the issue.

An Opinium poll released today revealed more military spending ranked last out of nine priorities for voters, with the NHS being first.

Stop the War Coalition convener Lindsey German pointed out that “the UK already spends over 2 per cent of our total GDP on arms, the highest in Europe.”

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https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/stop-arms-race-campaigners-tell-politicians