Quiet Riot The Expense of Defence: Is rearming the right priority?
Jun 5, 2025
Alan Johnson, a former Home Secretary and author of a new biography on Harold Wilson, joins Alex Andreou and Zoe Williams for a lively discussion. They dissect the Strategic Defence Review and the balancing act between defense spending and public service needs. Johnson shares insights from Wilson’s tenure, drawing parallels to Keir Starmer's challenges today. The trio debates the pressures of U.S. foreign policy and the importance of cohesive leadership in tumultuous times, all while touching on the absurdities of current political anxieties.
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Postman to Home Secretary Story
- Alan Johnson once delivered mail to the Home Secretary's country residence without imagining he'd later become Home Secretary.
- His journey from postman to cabinet member reflects a different era of political mobility.
Defence Spending Priorities
- The government's Strategic Defence Review faces tough budget decisions, especially on spending priorities and departmental cuts.
- Defence spending is seen as non-negotiable due to increased threats, despite political costs and criticisms.
US Defence Role Shift Is Permanent
- The US withdrawal from global protector role is viewed as permanent, affecting European defence strategy.
- Reacting pragmatically to this, rather than hoping for a return to past norms, is necessary for the UK.