Defence Spending and Readiness

Michelle Scrogham Excerpts

Tuesday 23rd June 2026 Commons Chamber

[Louise Sandher-Jones]

I am criticising the decision makers for that decision and, on reflection, I think that others would agree with me.

All of this occurred under Conservative Prime Ministers, whether in coalition or as a Conservative Government. They attempted to crush the proud British Army with their mismanagement.

[Michelle Scrogham (Barrow and Furness) (Lab)]

We have talked about the changes after 2014. Might we also look back to what was referenced earlier, under the 2010 coalition Government, where the blame seemed to very suddenly shift to the Liberal Democrats? It was a joint decision to delay what was happening with our submarines. I will take no arguments from the hon. Member for Westmorland and Lonsdale (Tim Farron), because it was his party that helped to damage Barrow-in-Furness. If they had not, with Conservative Members under the coalition Government, made the commitment to pause, we would have our boats in the water now and our submariners would not be spending 200 days at sea.

[Louise Sandher-Jones]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right to highlight those who were responsible for the defence of this country and the decisions they made.