If you have been wondering how the defence team have been doing, here’s the verdict from DefenceManagement.com / Defence Management Journal’s end of year email round up where they compared how the three main parties are doing on defence:

Going Down - The Labour Party

We uncovered a simple economic formula sent from Treasury ministers to the MoD. Apparently it never arrived. If inflation is greater than proposed spending increases, your budget will eventually have a deficit.

Not Moving - The Conservatives

On the surface they promise to bring about fundamental change to the MoD if they come to power. This might be so and we would welcome a change of leadership. But no one is committing to actually increasing spending so the current problems will persist for many years to come.

Going Up - The Liberal Democrats

Considering they are Britain’s third party, the Liberal Democrats probably have the best defence policy at the moment. Nick Harvey is one of the most knowledgable MPs on defence subjects outside of government and always has something to say on any given subject. The party is committed to Afghanistan and a new strategic defence review, two major policies that need more attention at the moment. While we may not agree on their Trident position, we want to hear more from this party in 2009 on defence.

 A nice start to the New Year!

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Shadow Defence Secretary, Nick Harvey said:

 “These figures are another kick in the teeth to armed forces families living in shoddy and substandard housing. 

“Something has clearly gone very wrong when a family has to live with a broken boiler because rent on the condemned house up the road is soaking up their maintenance budget. Read more »

Ahead of the protest by retired members of the Gurkhas in Parliament Square tomorrow, the Liberal Democrats are today tabling a Bill to give all former Gurkhas the right to live in the UK after they leave the army.

Commenting before tabling his Immigration (Discharged Gurkhas) Bill, Liberal Democrat Defence spokesperson and former Defence minister Lord (John) Lee of Trafford, said:-

“Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords are tabling a Bill which would allow all Gurkhas indefinite leave to remain on the same basis as Commonwealth soldiers.” Read more »

Commenting on reports that Des Browne is seeking to prevent coroners from criticising the Ministry of Defence, Liberal Democrat Shadow Defence Secretary, Nick Harvey said:

“This is a misjudged and ill-conceived attempt to curtail the freedom of coroners to highlight the failings of the MoD.
  Read more »

The MoD spends almost quarter of a million pounds per month renting private housing for 100 members of MoD top brass and their families, figures uncovered by the Liberal Democrats show.

Parliamentary answers reveal:

• The 50 most expensive privately rented family homes cost the taxpayer almost £124,000 in total every month, whilst the 50 most expensive single accommodation homes cost an additional £110,000 per month.
• The MoD currently spends £30m per year on 7,000 empty family homes around the UK.
• Private family accommodation for senior officers costs up to £4,200 per family per month.
• Private individual accommodation for senior officers costs up to £3,000 per month.

Read more »

Commenting on the news that more than 11,000 military ID cards have been lost or stolen in the last two years, Liberal Democrat Shadow Defence Secretary, Nick Harvey MP said:

“These figures are just extraordinary and make a mockery of the security throughout our military facilities. Read more »