By GB News (World News) | Created at 2024-11-22 12:51:19 | Updated at 2024-11-22 19:10:12
6 hours ago
Defence Minister Luke Pollard has found himself at the centre of a political storm after backing the scrapping of two Royal Navy ships he previously fought to protect.
Pollard had earlier this year insisted that HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark "play a key role in the Royal Navy's ability to project power and deploy Royal Marines at scale".
The Plymouth Sutton & Devonport MP had been a vocal critic of any Conservative plans to mothball the two amphibious assault ships.
However, in a striking reversal, the same vessels are now set to be decommissioned as part of Labour's defence cuts aimed at raising half a billion pounds over five years.
The vessels are now set to be decommissioned as part of Labour's defence cuts aimed at raising half a billion pounds over five years
PA
Pollard also wrote to then-Defence Secretary Grant Shapps seeking "urgent clarification" about the ships' future.
In his letter, Pollard emphasised: "I have repeatedly argued that HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark are important for the Royal Navy and should be retained."
Labour Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed in Parliament this week that six "outdated" projects across the Armed Forces will be axed.
The cuts extend beyond HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark, including the Army's Watchkeeper drone programme and HMS Northumberland.
Wave class tankers RFA Wave Knight and RFA Wave Ruler, 14 of the RAF's oldest Chinooks and 17 Puma helicopters also face the chop.
Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge said: "I agree with the minister's original analysis: that this is a mistake and will have a negative impact on our defence capability and the Royal Marines."
The cuts come ahead of the Ministry of Defence's Strategic Defence Review, scheduled for publication next year.
The review will examine how to adapt the military for combat in an increasingly contested world.
The cuts come ahead of the Ministry of Defence's Strategic Defence Review
PA
Conservative critics have called on Labour to reverse course and return to increased defence spending commitments.
"Labour must get back to our defence spending increase and reverse this decision," a Conservative spokesman said.
"Our Armed Forces deserve better than the empty promises they've received so far from hypocritical Labour ministers."
However, Admiral Sir Ben Key, the First Sea Lord, offered a more pragmatic view of the changes.
"To deliver this change, we must divest in old capabilities to make way for this future," he stated.
The Admiral acknowledged the ships' service record: "HMS Albion, HMS Bulwark, HMS Northumberland, RFA Wave Knight and RFA Wave Ruler have served our Navy and our nation exceptionally well."
"However, the threat is changing, so we should have the self-confidence to make the changes required to keep pace."
