"Events, dear boy, events"

Many Commentary readers will have been following the recent tribulations of the UK's Prime Minister. This is not the forum for any political partisanship, other than to reiterate the government's own words about defence being an engine of growth. The inertia which has gripped the government since it came to office in July 2024, as far as defence policy is concerned, has been well chronicled. It would seem that this frustration is shared by many.

The incremental announcements about equipment purchases by the MOD that have been wrung out of the government, along with the signing of security agreements with allies, is little short of performative window dressing. However, the current leadership process resolves itself, the 'new' prime minister – even if it is the present incumbent – must bring forward the Defence Investment Plan, and get a grip on the Treasury, to be more creative about how to fund the defence needs of the UK.