By Matt Mulley - 5th November 2009
A former defence secretary has described how radical changes are needed both domestically and internationally to combat modern threats to the UK's security.
Lord Robertson of Port Ellen told a meeting of the all party parliamentary group on global security and non-proliferation earlier this week that the defence budget should be replaced by a single 'security budget'.
It would cover not just the traditional defence and counter-terrorism aspects of domestic security but development and community programmes aimed at isolating and reducing radicalism.
Lord Robertson, a former Nato secretary general, was joined at the APPG meeting by Dr Ian Kearns of the Royal United Services Institute to discuss their recently released report Shared Responsibilities: A national security strategy for the UK.
In addition to structural changes in domestic security policy and provision, the report outlines the need for closer international cooperation and a greater role for Europe in international issues.
The US, it argues, wants Europe to play a greater role on the international stage as the Obama administration cannot continue to dominate global foreign policy.
Lord Robertson highlighted the soft power of diplomacy as crucial to any security strategy, arguing that it requires as much investment as other, more kinetic tactics.
The other corollary to defence and diplomacy is development.
Current resources need to be more accurately targeted, with more effective funding of development projects.
As the report points out, poverty and conflict are directly related.
The presentation from Lord Robertson and Dr Kearns was concluded with a brief Q & A session.
Participants praised the comprehensive analysis of the report, but it was also highlighted that current government policy is in danger of moving in the opposite direction.
Dods Parliamentary Communications Ltd
Mr Charles
8th Nov 2009 at 1:37 pm