Labour

Defence Select Committee agrees with Labour that capability gaps and lacking contingency plans require urgent action - Murphy

Jim Murphy MP, Labour’s Shadow Defence Secretary, in response to the Defence Select Committee’s report on ‘Operations in Libya’, said:

“Our Forces performed heroics and deserve all our praise, yet the conflict in Libya succeeded in spite of decisions made in the Government’s defence review.

“The Government’s limited national ambition combined with flawed defence decision-making are downgrading Britain’s military flexibility, reach and global standing.

“As global uncertainty grows daily threats are becoming harder to tackle and Britain may no longer be able to perform such a leading military role in the world.

“The Committee agrees with Labour’s argument that capability gaps and lacking contingency plans require urgent action. Limited maritime surveillance capability, no aircraft to fly from aircraft carriers and mass redundancies are all deeply concerning and now require a real response.

“In a new and changing security environment we must work closer with our allies and there is an onus on European NATO nations to increase co-operation. The practice of fighting together but developing our Forces separately must be rethought.”