AIBU to think Burnham’s words may haunt his premiership?

[Greyrock79]

To think that Burnham’s words are going to haunt his premiership?

‘…national security can’t come at the expense of social security…’

I don't have a dick I need to compare.
Would rather spend far more on social services for our kids and elderly.

Have a look at Ukraine and see how the Russians treat defeated populations and then ask yourself what we are defending.

We still need a defence budget, madness to think not. And risks are heightened which makes it more of a priority.

We are obsessed with our glorious past: 1945 and 1966. We have this inflated view of ourselves that isn’t relevant anymore.

We are a very fortunate, nice little green archipelago in Northern Europe. We don’t need to to keep wading into superpowers’ manoeuvres. You don’t see Sweden and Norway strutting about like us.

I actually think we shouldn’t be prioritising defence or benefits, we should be prioritising getting our industry and sustainability going. Getting jobs for people in green industries, building our own EVs, boosting our agriculture against a changing climate.

Im not laughing at the fact Russian subs are in our waters checking out the under sea cables.

Quite - no is the Donbas region is keeping their mobility cars.

I bet. But still feel free to join up if you’re suggesting anyone else.

We will only be at risk from Russia if we start the arms race again

He's not ditching defence, he stated that he would set out the date when we can reach the 3%. "The PM said that the government's commitment to defence was absolute and he would set a target date to reach the 3% in the spring".
He means not funding it the way the Tories wanted.

Are you talking about another country? We have evolved in all those areas. We don't need to be a leading military force, we just need a substantial defence mechanism.

The world is always in a volatile state

The Russians are against NATO. We are a leading member and a nuclear power. Thats why they are currently testing our defences. If we can't defend ourselves and the US are no longer a reliable ally then Europe is more vulnerable. And as we know Russia sees Europe as it's back yard.

The bots don't need a break.

We know they are a threat, far more through fear and social media posts stirring up idiots to march about in balaclavas and spread "they are gonna attack!" posts all over the internet than using whatever they have left to fight a multi country war. We may have had Brexit but thankfully EU would still all come to our aid if Russia was stupid enough to do anything.

it is in everyone's interests to have a functioning care system that doesn't rely on NHS to home the elderly.

Then why isn't there a much more forthright push to get people eating better, exercising more and taking greater responsibility for the aspects of their health they can control? Surely, in a country with very limited resources, keeping ourselves as healthy as we reasonably can for as long as we can should be part of the social contract. That has significant potential to reduce pressure on the NHS and the care system and leaves more resources for people where illness or disability cannot be prevented.

Correct

Going by some of the replies @Greyrock79 it looks like sales of the white poppy will be on the increase this year.

I think youre mixing up the threat from Russia and the threat from the small (now massive) boats.

So in the spring (2027) he will provide us another date? What happens if an election is called before then, we wait for another budget in the autumn2027/spring 2028?

I think maybe you don't know where your paycheck is coming from...

Meaning ?

I’d have more sympathy with you if you weren’t using the criminal Netanyahu as arbiter. That man has done more damage to his own Jews than even the man who assassinated Rabin.

'I was there on 7/7/05 and it wasn’t caused by what we did or didn’t spend on “defence” aka supporting America invading countries that DIDN’T cause 9/11.'

So was I. On the tube (not ones bombed by Muslim terrorists purely by chance). Islamic extremism was responsible for 7/7. MI5 spend 75% of their budget on Islamic extremism. That is defence through spending on Security and Intelligence. Do you think benefit spending is more important than that too?

Honestly, I don't know.
Is it defeatist?
Or is there some sensibility in this?
The people of Ireland seem to sleep ok at night.

Given that the US recently threatened to invade Danish territory, I don't know how reliable or trustworthy they would be as a NATO partner anymore.
In my mind I picture them as an aggressor.

Also its NATO not the EU that one would hope would come to our aid if we were attacked. The EU is not yet a military alliance. Just for info.