Must The N A T O Countries Of Europe Now Increase Defence Spending?

[ToraToraTora]

In the light of the Trump victory and his well known threat to leave NATO must the scrimping on defence in Europe now end? For our part the interest we pay on debt is double our defence budget. There are plenty of places the chancellor can find the money, all be it unpalatable for Labour. Time to increase defence spending to at least 3% GDP?

[Stableford]

Yes.  But don't hold your breath for Labour to do anything resembling common sense.

[New Judge]

Absolutely agree. And I would say that with or without a Trump victory.

For far too long Europe (and I include the UK) has ridden piggyback on the generosity of US taxpayers when it comes to defence. Rather than spend an appropriate proportion of its income on defence it has chosen to squander it away on (among many other things) useless wind turbines, excessive welfare and the accommodation of millions of people not entitled to be in Europe at all. In particular, as far as defence goes, it has seen an expansion of civil servants at the expense of troops. There are now 63,700 people working in the MoD. This is an increase of 5% in the last five years. There are now more people working in the MoD than there are service personnel in the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force combined. That number, coincidentally, has reduced by 5% in the same period. Time for us to redress that balance and stump up, methinks.

[Untitled]

America certainly isn't going to be sending much to ukraine anymore. i reckon that country is absolutely stufffed

[New Judge]

And I forgot to add, that isn't going o happen under this current shower and this country can look forward to itts own "Trump moment" in 2029, when the people of his country have become sick of being taken for a ride by a bunch of vindictive, socialist charlatans.

Correction to that - it should read "thoroughly sick". I imagine most people are sick enough already after only four months.

[Old_Geezer]

Threats are just threats. It isn't in the US's interest to drive a chasm betweem it and other western style nations. We will definitely have to see what develops re supporting Ukraine though. Leaving them to get bullied is not a wise option, even if the extent is forcing them to accept the present invaded lands are now part of an aggressive tyranical Russian empire.

[Old_Geezer]

...between...

[youngmafbog]

Trump is correct (for the American people).  Why should they have to pay when others (who really are the ones in more danger) wont?

I am not sure NATO (and the UN) are approiate anymore anyway.  I'd like a clearout and start a new organisation.

[johnk]

yes

[davebro3]

// I'd like a clearout and start a new organisation.//

Too many vested interests. Once these bodies get established it's the devil's own job to get them to disband or reform.