nPro-Defense and International Development are both sides of the same coin. Our long-term security requires investing in both. European countries need to fill in the void left by the new US administration to ensure that Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump won't win the decision to shut down USAID in Ukraine.
Before being elected MP, I lived in Kenya and saw important work done by a local charity that helps families of children who grew up in an informal settlement outside Nairobi. I met teenagers working on social media projects, tackled the disinformation and prevented post-election violence. And I spoke to women about the ever-present threat of rape and sexual violence.
Like many African countries, Kenya has great potential, but with its recent history of violent nature, it is plagued by the threat of international terrorism. Therefore, if the US or the UK withdraws funding for clinics offering sexual and reproductive health services, young women will not have control over their lives. If the US or the UK withdraws funding for a scheme to combat young men who are given disinformation, the risk is that they will be more easily recruited by a network of malignant actors, armed groups, and even terrorists.
China and Russia have their own agendas all over the world. They push vulnerable countries into debt and provide investment opportunities to ignore violations of human rights. They seek influence as part of a global agenda to destabilize international rules-based systems. They undermine copyright and intellectual property. They are trying to misuse rather than support them. As BBC World Services experience shows, when the UK or the US gives up on bandwidth, China and Russia move on to a disinformation campaign.
Without arguing to support fledgling and imperfect democracy to promote good governance, it cannot explain that the resulting corruption and exploitation can undermine society, leading to war, asylum claimants and destabilization in Britain.
Since becoming MP, I have had the great privilege to participate. Military Parliamentary System. This gave me a better understanding of the experiences of the veterans who selected me. We also got to hear firsthand the UK's brightest military brain security analysis and threat assessments. It is clear that the UK is under important and immediate threats from Russia and other Olita that do not believe in human rights, international law, and humanity.
The cuts made by conservative governments on their defense budgets were negligent and strengthened the egos of Putin and other enemies. Defence spending should be returned to 2.5%, which was under the last labour government, and should proceed as quickly and quickly as possible. If diplomacy and development fail, other countries fear and need defensive deterrents that can win the war.
The military was some of the most passionate advocates of the fact that defense and development are closely linked. They have witnessed what happens when we fail in our military, diplomacy or aid activities. It's not just life lost and ruined. It creates a real threat to Britain itself.
The world is plagued by conflict and a huge number of displaced people. This happened when Britain acted as a small island that only worries about itself, cutting military and international aid. If vulnerable peace takes hold in Gaza and Ukraine, reconstruction efforts and critical humanitarian assistance support should collaborate with peacekeeping efforts. Overseas investments will help transform these war-torn countries from humanitarian crises into vibrant democracies and trading partners.
With climate change already becoming a reality, overseas partnerships are needed to help people adapt to extreme weather events. And we cannot save the planet ourselves, so that all our efforts in the UK reach net zero. We need to support countries that have done minimal things to cause climate change, but they have already experienced the worst effects. It is our national interest and the basis of our safety.
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A world with rare food and water is a world where governments are unstable, so people are evacuated and conflict deepens.
It is not just good Samaritans and bleeding heart liberals who see the threat and pain beyond our shores. What we understand is that we live on the planet is that we cannot isolate ourselves from what happens across our borders. However, the UK and our allies have failed to argue that the balance between UK defense and overseas spending is necessary for UK security and success. That's why we all become less safe.
