RICHARD FOORD IS THE LIBERAL DEMOCRAT MP FOR TIVERTON AND HONITON

President of the United States Teddy Roosevelt wrote over one hundred years ago: “Speak softly and carry a big stick”. This Government seems bent on doing the opposite.

In a world fraught with conflict, and with war on our continent, the UK Government should recognise that we need strength if we cherish our democratic principles, so as to uphold peace and security. That’s why the Liberal Democrats have suggested some ways in which we could restore the UK's diplomatic credibility, promote security, and uphold liberal values on the global stage.

Under this current Conservative Government, our once-strong standing on the world stage has been diminished. Inward-looking political chaos and disregard for our allies have tarnished our image. The Conservatives have neglected national security. One result is low morale amongst service personnel, and an Army which is being cut by 10,000 soldiers.

When I joined the Army at the beginning of the century, there were 110,000 of us in the Regular Army. There are now fewer than 77,000, with plans from this Conservative Government to reduce the size of the Army further to 73,000. The Liberal Democrats – for which I am the Defence Spokesperson – are urging the Government to reverse the cut of 10,000 soldiers from our Army.

It is now two years since Russia committed its troops to a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. When I visited Ukraine eighteen months ago, I stared at the burnt-out flats and collapsed buildings in Kyiv and Bucha – and was reminded of what I saw in Pristina and Sarajevo twenty years earlier.

This isn’t a quarrel in a far-away country between people of whom we know nothing. We know much more about Ukraine, thanks to generous people in our community who have hosted Ukrainians fleeing war. Our NATO membership commits us to the defence of Poland and other eastern European states.

We cannot act alone in this space. Britain should sign a comprehensive security treaty with European and NATO partners on new defence technologies to deter aggression and bolster stability in our continent.

Yet we can also bolster Britain’s soft power by protecting and promoting the BBC World Service to reach audiences elsewhere in the world.

Liberal Democrats are unwavering in our commitment to liberal values and international cooperation. We believe in a United Kingdom that stands tall on the world stage, promoting peace, security, and democracy.

The Conservative Defence Secretary has been talking dangerously about us being in a “pre-war era” but is doing little about it. Instead, we should reinforce our defences while speaking softly. It's time to reclaim Britain’s place as a global leader, grounded in values of strength, compassion and fairness.