UK troops: Howard pledging more cash

Michael Howard has pledged to scrap Labour's plans to reform Britain's armed forces.

In a speech in Blackpool on Wednesday the Opposition leader committed the Conservatives to tackling the overstretch experienced as forces have been deployed in areas including Iraq, Afghanistan and Sierra Leone.

He said Britain's forces must be given the resources they need to tackle 21st century defence commitments.

The Conservatives are pledging to spend more than Labour on frontline defence, despite Labour claims that the Tories are planning wholesale cuts in spending.

Describing the armed forces as the "epitome of the finer qualities of the British character", Howard rounded on Labour's failure to match rhetoric with cash.

Spending

The James review says the Conservatives have earmarked an additional £2.7bn in frontline defence spending over the first three years of a Howard administration.

"My strategy is clear. Britain needs a government that has a clear and realistic vision of our global role; provides our armed forces with the resources to carry out the job we ask them to do; and respects the culture of our armed forces – a culture which makes them the envy of the world," he said.

The speech also saw Howard voicing his opposition to plans for a European army.

"Our relationship with the United States is being put at risk, despite our close co-operation with the US over Iraq, by Mr Blair's obsession with the European Union," he argued.

"Mr Blair has decided to cut our armed forces. This cannot be right. We cannot afford to gamble with our national security."

'Culture'

But he also promised to defend the "culture" of the armed forces and protect traditional regiments.

"Anybody who has given serious thought to the threats we face today could not conclude that we currently have enough soldiers in the infantry," the Tory chief claimed.

"But Labour have let armed forces manning levels drop 3,000 below establishment. On top of that, the government has announced a further cut in our infantry levels of four battalions.

"What a stab in the back for the men and women Mr Blair sent into the line of fire. 

"Regiments, which are the focus of loyalty, the nurseries of military excellence and potent symbols of pride, are to have their identities casually erased."

Support

He concluded that the Conservatives have a track record of supporting soldiers.

"It's not just a question of getting the right military hardware, it's having ministers who support and understand the traditions and values of the armed forces," he said.  

"The armed forces deserve a government that understands that health and safety regulations can never be elevated over combat readiness; a government that understands the importance of military discipline and the chain of command; and a government that puts the frontline first.

"Britain's armed forces are universally admired around the world. Their courage, their sense of duty and their leadership are the guarantees of our freedom and security."

"Conservatives value our service men and women. We trust them to get the job done. We trust them with our security," Howard added.

"That's why a Conservative government will save the regiments being cut by Labour, will save the three Type 23 frigates being cut by Labour, and why a Conservative government will spend £2.7bn more on frontline defence than Labour."