To agree with increasing tax and more benefit cuts to pay for defence

[Viviennemary]

I was surprised to hear that Labour is to spend more on defence. We really do need to with the threats from Russia and run down of weapon stocks because they have been given to Ukraine. All of Europe needs to wake up. But I think they realise this.

Well, that increase has to be paid for... its either cuts... or tax increases... but cut what? the UKs civil service is already at no6 in world index for efficiency.

What would you cut in our already hollowed out public services?

Reversing Hunts NI cut would be a possibility, reform of higher band council tax another, perhaps reduce ISA allowances...

I'm glad i'm not in Reeves shoes.

Paper Tiger??? some tiger! Crimea annexed... approx 100k Ukrainians killed, Black Sea shut down, millions of Ukrainians in western Europe.

We've already had a gas pipe destroyed, nuclear and nerve agent used on UK soil...

You're ignoring the USA's contribution, which may go... then what? no one in Europe, individually or collectively can replace that.

You need to open your eyes and perhaps read a little European history.

Russia has 600k troops fighting in Ukraine. They also have a very large defense industrial base to make war materials.

Given two or three years to arm up, they will be a serious threat to their neighbors.

Do you think that Poland and the Baltic states are arming up for the fun of it? Why do you think Sweden and Finland joined NATO?