Lords debates role of the Armed Forces and the UK's defence policy

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On Thursday 7 September, members of the House of Lords debated the role of the Armed Forces and the UK’s defence policy.

Debate

Lord Soames of Fletching (Conservative), former Minister of State for the Armed Forces at the Ministry of Defence, put forward the debate.

This was a general debate. During debates, members put their experience to good use to discuss current issues and draw the government's attention to concerns.     

Members speaking

Members speaking in the debate included:

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer (Liberal Democrat), president of Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-poliferation and Disarmament
Lord Coaker (Labour), shadow spokesperson for home affairs and defence
Lord Craig of Radley (Crossbench), Marshal of the Royal Air Force
Baroness Helic (Conservative), former special adviser to the Foreign Secretary.

Opening the debate, Lord Soames said:

'We have witnessed the unfolding reality and cost of the high-intensity land battle in Ukraine. That has brought home to the United Kingdom that our country needs to pay far greater attention to defence and resilience, both civilian and military—and, especially importantly, to maintaining and sustaining our capabilities.'

Responding on behalf of the government, Baroness Goldie (Conservative), Minister of State at the Ministry of Defence, said:

'We are adopting a global campaigning approach where it is the character of the adversary and their threat, not the geographic focus, that will drive our enduring campaigns...Our task in the MoD, led by our new Secretary of State, Grant Shapps, is quite simply to ensure that progress continues and that our magnificent Armed Forces continue to deliver for our nation.'