Defence

Defence is where the gap between what politicians promise and what they fund is sharpest. The questions here are about how much the country spends on its armed forces, the state of the nuclear deterrent, support for veterans, the readiness of equipment and personnel, and the commitments Britain makes through NATO and to allies under pressure. War in Europe and instability in the Middle East have pushed defence back up the agenda after decades of cuts, and the decisions taken now will shape what the country can and cannot do for a generation.