Brian Leishman
Main Page: Brian Leishman (Independent - Alloa and Grangemouth)Department Debates - View all Brian Leishman's debates with the Ministry of Defence
(1 day, 17 hours ago)
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Luke Pollard
I am happy to meet the hon. Lady to discuss this further. The last Government, I am afraid, left not only our weapons stockpiles almost empty, but far too many of our parts stockpiles as well. We are looking at investing in that as part of our defence investment plan, but I am happy to meet her to discuss the matter further.
Brian Leishman (Alloa and Grangemouth) (Ind)
Two giants of the Labour and anti-nuclear arms movement would have been 100 this year: Tony Benn and Mick McGahey. I never had the pleasure of meeting either, but I think they would have recognised that an industrial strategy based on militarism is flawed. The defence sector is less than 1% of the UK workforce, so militarism is not a UK-wide industry and it serves war, not peace. What happened to choosing welfare over warfare, and to choosing jobs in sectors that will promote real economic growth and actual social benefit?
Mr Speaker
When I bring you in on a topical, it is meant to be short and punchy, not a “War and Peace” question!