Would you pay more tax to boost defence spending

[trainermush]

Obviously we are now in a more precarious position & defence spending has been underfunded for some time. RR had just said we need to spend more money & she will but without breaking her fiscal rules,

"So we will stick to our fiscal rules. But recognising the priority of defence spending in the world that we live in today means that we will have to make difficult choices so that we can spend that money that is needed to keep our country safe."

Mulling it over & even though I think I pay enough tax I would pay more each month towards this (cut back in other areas) as opposed to labour cutting back on something else. I guess thinking about my dc & other loved ones has changed my mind somewhat now things appear more bleak. What do others think?
Conscription of young people terrifies me even though my dc are too young.

Oh stop it!! 🤣

Although tbf the rich pay waaay more tax than most of us ever will.

Why? A highly intelligent diplomat with extensive global affairs experience and proficiency in 10 languages?

Yep. We need to up our defence capability drastically.

@Thoughtsonstuff I agree it can be positive.

With Trump withdrawing military aid for Ukraine I would like to ask those that have objected to increased defence spending whether they can then accept Ukraine being thrown instead and then maybe Lithuania in a few years time.

Because that is the choice Europe is facing.

He's always wrong though. And he winds up a huge amount of people just by opening his mouth and talking in that highly condescending way. He thinks he's a lot cleverer than he is. Too polarising. You need someone like Ben Wallace (or a Labour equalivalent if they have one). Straight talking leader that appeals to more sorts of people than the midlife middle-class urban dad (or whatever Rory Stewart's fans are called). Particularly needs to appeal to the working class northern boys from where a lot of the army is recruited from. That will not be Rory Stewart I'm afraid.

Nope. They’ve already taxed us out of productivity which is why they are looking to cut the welfare bill.

Errr so you want more defence but not at the expense of your own DC…???

@Thoughtsonstuff I was thinking Ben Wallace

" When there was a suggestion of National Service at the end of the last government many people hated the idea but I wonder if opinions would now be different"

I think any National Service should be voluntary and selective.

In order to encourage 18 year olds to apply I would first pay them for their time whilst doing the service (lets say 18 months), secondly pay for all their University tuition fees (or equivalent costed training courses afterwards) and lastly pay them for attending various training courses / summer camps whilst at University/ College etc

I think with that kind of offer quite a few 18 year olds would apply.

Quite capable, thank you for asking. I think you'll find most menopausal Gen Xers are. Yourself?

Current defence budget is about £55 billion. Abolish foreign aid and you've got about another £15 billion. Sack off the triple lock on pensions and you've got another £10 billion a year. No need for tax increases.

Why? Why now rather than last year, or the year before? I’m genuinely confused. America are our friends, surely if Putin and Trump are mates then Putin won’t invade us?

@unsync to fight? When you say Gen Z are hopeless are you offering instead?

As Winston Churchill said increasingly taxes to create economic growth is like standing in a bucket and trying to lift yourself up by the handle.

If increased defence spending is funded by tax increases then this will come at the cost of lower economic growth. If increased defence spending is funded by increased debt then this will come at the cost of higher interest rates and lower economic growth. The only source of funding can be through cutting spending elsewhere which is not going to be electorally popular.

Putin won’t invade us, as the kids of his friends go to school here and our banks launder their money.

Exactly.

Yes that would definitely do it.

What saddens me is that Ukraine is fast running out of time before it's too late. A large number of posters are making emotive posts about Ukraine, happily criticising Trump and the US for stopping military aid to but at the same time objecting to the UK and Europe increasing their military spending to make up the shortfall from the US.

Yes I think they’re saying:
“я бы предпочёл стать частью русского позже, чем платить за дополнительную защиту сейчас”
they’ll probably leave learning the language until the time comes

@MumblesParty I don't think Putin will but I'm not sure we can count on the version you've put

@EasternStandard

I agree that I don't think it is realistic that Russian tanks will be parked in Basingstoke. But it is possible that Russia feelings emboldened might interfere in UK elections or sabotage a sub sea gas pipeline or electricity interconnector.

And with an ineffectual military and no support from the US what is the UK going to do about it?

Ben Wallace is highly respected by the American military and political leadership. It was daft to get rid of him.

So why did they block him from becoming NATO secretary general ?

He stepped down didn't he?

Agree it was a shame

@1dayatatime yes and I agree on your tax take