Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt hints he’d ‘increase defence budget’ as PM in Tory leadership race
Jeremy Hunt, 52, is seen as one of the front-runners to replace Theresa May
JEREMY Hunt signalled he would “decisively increase” the size of Britain’s defence budget if he becomes PM.
The Foreign Secretary called for “a strengthening of our hard power” in the next defence review to cement Britain’s place in a post-Brexit world.
The powerful intervention is the boldest yet in a shadow Tory leadership contest already being fought by more than a dozen senior MPs.
The offer from Mr Hunt – seen as one of the frontrunners to succeed Theresa May – will be seen as tailor-made to appeal to Tory members.
He told the Lord Mayor’s Banquet last night: ““I believe it is time for the next Strategic Defence and Security Review to ask whether, over the coming decade, we should decisively increase the proportion of GDP we devote to defence.
“The outcome of such investment should demonstrate beyond doubt that when we say Britain stands for the defence of democratic values then we are as good as our word.”
The 52 year-old Tory MP added: 'We simply do not know what the balance of power in the world will be in 25 years time'.
The threat is also rising, from “a more aggressive Russia and a more assertive China”, Mr Hunt argued.
And rapidly advancing technology could see Britain soon face a multi-dimensional assault which starts with a cyber attack and is followed by “hypersonic missiles” and “swarms of unmanned aircraft”, he warmed.
The 52 year-old Tory MP added: “We simply do not know what the balance of power in the world will be in 25 years time”.
It is also “not sustainable” to rely on the US’s massive defence spending while most of Europe spends so little.
One Cabinet source dubbed it 'poor form', as well as a tit-for-tat invitation for others to “have views on his brief'
Mr Hunt’s aides insist it was for the MoD to map out exactly how big their raise must be.
But his words will raise MPs’ hopes that the defence budget will lift from 2% of GDP today - the minimum NATO spending target – to 3%, or an extra £20bn a year.
Mr Hunt’s intervention risks a fresh Cabinet row by infuriating new Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt.
Ms Mordaunt, who was only promoted into the senior role two weeks ago, is yet to even make her first comments on the MoD’s budget.
Neither she nor No10 were briefed on Mr Hunt’s speech until a few hours before he made it, it also emerged.
One Cabinet source dubbed it “poor form”, as well as a tit-for-tat invitation for others to “have views on his brief”.
Issuing a broad vision for post-Brexit Britain that ranged well beyond his brief, Mr Hunt also hinted tax cuts will be needed once we quit the EU – issuing a call to “put fuel in the engine of the British economy”.
Mr Hunt also warned that a nuke deal row raised risks of an Iran-US war “by accident” — ahead of his talks with White House Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
His defence pledge received a warm welcome from former-forces Tory MPs.
Ex-Army officer-turned Johnny Mercer said: “If we are to be the party of defence, it’s about time we proved it with the proper resourcing”.
The Sun Says: Fix our forces
IT IS scandalous that Theresa May’s Tories allowed themselves to be outgunned by Labour on defence.
Yes, Labour: The party run by delusional peacenik Jeremy Corbyn, who wants to scrap our nuclear deterrent and cannot see “any circumstances” in which he would deploy troops.
The man who said: “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if every politician, instead of taking pride in the size of their armed forces, abolished their army?”
Yet somehow, as Government cuts let our military strength wither, Labour’s defence spokeswoman Nia Griffith managed to talk tougher on nukes, troop numbers and spending than the Tories.
So Jeremy Hunt’s latest salvo is a very welcome statement of intent.
It is vital, the Foreign Secretary says, that we stand with America in defending the West’s democracies against the new, rising threats from an “aggressive” Russia and “assertive” China. And against new forms of war entirely.
That, he says, means a sharp increase in spending to avoid our US allies fearing they are propping up Nato alone.
It will set an example to EU nations who underspend and take for granted their safety, underwritten by American might.
“Strength is the surest guarantee of peace,” Mr Hunt says. That’s dead right.
It’s a simple concept old hippies like Corbyn, inclined instead to capitulate and hope for mercy, will never grasp.
- GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL exclusive@the-sun.co.uk