James Cleverly urges the Government to commit to spending 3% of GDP on defence, to put the UK in a strong position to encourage European allies to boost their own defence budgets.

Mr James Cleverly (Braintree) (Con)

As I am sure those on the Treasury Bench know, soft power and diplomacy are most effective when they are backed up by hard power. When will the Government commit to spending 3% of GDP on defence, to make sure that we have a real voice at the international table to encourage European countries to increase their defence spending?

The Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (Mr David Lammy)

Why did the right hon. Gentleman not decide to do that? The Conservatives left it to this Government to get back to 2.5%, which we last had under a Labour Government. The right hon. Gentleman should have done it, and we are going to do it.

Hansard