Richard Dannatt's Convenient Excuses

Let us concede that the MoD has been under-funded and over-stretched in recent years. Let us also concede that Gordon Brown and Tony Blair should have been aware of this and done something about it. But let’s also remember that the armed forces’ thirst for funds is essentially unquenchable.

There is always something more, something newer, something bigger, something more expensive that they will say they need (that is, want) to do their job more effectively. That’s human nature but I suspect we could increase defence spending by 50% and still be treated to headlines complaining that the MoD needs more cash.

And, look, it’s very convenient for General Sir Richard Dannatt to blame Blair and Brown for everything. There’s some merit to this case: political leadership certainly matters. But headlines such as these* are perhaps a little too convenient.