SNP CHALLENGE LABOUR AND TORIES ON DEFENCE

SNP CHALLENGE LABOUR AND TORIES ON DEFENCE

‘WILL LONDON PARTIES RESIST CUTS IN SCOTLAND?’

The Scottish National Party (SNP) is challenging the UK parties to make a
commitment against cuts to conventional defence spending, manpower and
bases in Scotland.

Speaking to a resolution on the strategic defence review at SNP Campaign
Conference in Aviemore, Westminster SNP Leader Angus Robertson MP
highlighted the recent £4.3 billion defence underspend in Scotland, the
amalgamation of Scottish Regiments, the 9,500 defence jobs lost since
Labour came to power, and closure of bases and facilities as a warning
that ‘more London defence cuts are to come’.

With the conclusion of a Strategic Defence Review pending, the MP for
Moray issued a challenge to Labour and the Tories to rule out cuts: "Will
they end
the conventional defence underpend in Scotland? Will they guarantee the
conventional future of bases at Kinloss, Lossiemouth Leuchers and Faslane?
Will they reinstate Scotland’s historic regiments?"

The SNP Conference unanimously passed a resolution calling for a Scottish
Defence Review.

Speaking to the SNP Conference Angus Robertson MP said:

“This week both Labour and the Tories have been exposed breaking their
word on defence in Scotland and the UK.

“Gordon Brown misled the Chilcot inquiry about defence spending while
sending our brave service men and women into conflict. Meanwhile, the
Tories ditched their commitment to Scotland’s historic regiments.

“We now need a cast iron promise that they will not continue to cut
Scotland’s conventional defence. Will they end the conventional defence
underpend in Scotland? Will they guarantee the conventional future of
bases at Kinloss, Lossiemouth, Leuchers and Faslane? Will they reinstate
Scotland’s historic regiments?

“More than 9,500 defence jobs have been lost since Labour came to power in
1997, our historic regiments have been amalgamated and disbanded, there
has been a litany of defence and facility closures and a recent mammoth
defence underspend of £4.3 billion.

“The SNP is committed to retain current military facilities in Scotland
and restore our historic regiments as part of a robust independent
conventional defence policy. The London parties need to make clear now:
will they promise the same as part of UK defence policy?"