The world is becoming increasingly unpredictable. Across Europe, nations are taking decisive action to protect themselves. Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania recently disconnected from Russia’s electricity grid, a bold step towards greater self-reliance. Britain too must not be complacent about its security.

For our community, defence is not abstract. The Longmoor Ranges in Bordon play a vital role in training our armed forces. Since 2023, thousands of Ukrainian soldiers have trained here, highlighting our commitment to Ukraine’s defence. Last week, I spent time with our commando forces in the Arctic Circle. Their professionalism and bravery were inspiring. Speaking to them, two things were clear: we must specialise where our strengths lie, and defence spending must increase, but rearming without reindustrialising is a dangerous illusion.

The US spends 5 percent of GDP on defence because its contractors are overwhelmingly American. Britain has world-class firms like Rolls-Royce, BAE, and QinetiQ but lacks a broad industrial base. Without rebuilding our manufacturing capacity, increased defence spending will worsen economic instability and reliance on foreign suppliers. A serious military industrial strategy is needed: energy reform, tax changes, skills development, and infrastructure investment.

For years, Britain’s military strategy assumed smaller budgets and limited conflicts. That assumption no longer holds. We must use our highly specialist armed forces to protect the Scandinavian countries and the High North flank – a gateway that Putin will exploit both via land and sea. Germany and France now need to step up to protect central Europe and the Balkans from a Russian land invasion.

Beyond Russia, we face growing threats. Ministers are allowing Chinese firms to build North Sea wind farms, handing Beijing control over critical infrastructure. Russian interference, Chinese cyberthreats, and Iranian hostility are real dangers. Yet no single minister oversees offshore security. Labour ignores these threats. China steals industrial secrets, manipulates trade, launches cyberattacks, and exerts undue influence over British institutions. Meanwhile, we remain vulnerable to Russian hybrid warfare and Islamist extremism.

Britain must be strong and ensure our security contributions are balanced with a clear-eyed view of our strategic relationships. We must not carry burdens that European nations refuse to shoulder and we must choose our partners wisely; not just America and Europe, but also Japan, Israel, and Australia.

The world is changing fast, yet Labour is unprepared. While they make vague commitments, we see recruitment cuts and funding uncertainty. Britain needs real investment in its armed forces, a stronger Nato commitment, and a clear plan for national security. That’s what I will continue to fight for.

I have called for defence spending to rise to at least 2.5 percent of GDP but it really needs to be even more. This government lacks leadership - what we need is action and a defence policy that puts Britain first.