THE Conservatives have voted to call on the Government to cut welfare and fund defence, supporting the Conservative Party's motion, which was passed within their:- 'Opposition Day Debate.' 

. The party says that:- "Britain faces an unprecedented level of risk to our national security with war in Ukraine and war in Iran" and has added that:-  "We feel we need strong defence more now than we have needed it in a very long time. Our national security is fundamental to our prosperity."

According to the Party, there is a consensus that our military is not ready for war. The Chief of the Defence Staff has said that the Ministry of Defence needs an extra £28 billion. Labour has allowed defence to go underfunded while welfare spending has ballooned by:- £19.8 billion in the past year.

In Southport their are around:- 1,845 people now claim welfare, the number increasing since Labour came into office. These numbers are not sustainable. At the same time, people in Southport are proud of our Armed Forces, and this weekend the Town will see the return of the annual Armed Forces Festival events. 

The Southport Conservatives have said that:- "We need to put more money in defence and bring defence spending to 3% of GDP this Parliament, rather than Labour’s target of the next Parliament, potentially as late as 2034. Conservatives have set out key steps towards 3%, including:- reinstating the 2 child benefit cap and using billions from Net Zero to create a Sovereign Defence Fund. We have explained where the money comes from, how Labour could do this, and are now restating our offer to work together in the national interest to achieve it. Even Labour's own senior Defence figures know this is not good enough, as both of their recently resigned MOD Ministers, ex-Secretary of State John Healey and previous Armed Forces Minister, Al Carns, cited the lack of defence funding as their reason for quitting."

Nationally, the Conservatives are calling on Labour to do the right thing, telling whoever the Prime Minister is, it is time to get serious about defence. That is why we have used an Opposition Day Debate to bring this issue to the floor of the house and give MPs the chance to make their voice heard. Labour, putting party over country, blocked our motion. But we will not stop fighting to ensure our Armed Forces get the resources they need.

Mike Prendergast of Southport Conservatives said:- "People in Southport and the Northern Parishes, and across the country, are alarmed by the growing threats Britain faces. And they are also alarmed by the growing welfare bill, which is absorbing public resources and stopping us from funding our defence. The threats we face are getting more and more serious. That is why Conservatives in Parliament voted to demand the Government cuts welfare and gives our Armed Forces the backing they need to keep us safe. It’s hugely disappointing that Southport’s current Labour MP voted against this."

James Cartlidge MP, Shadow Defence Secretary, said:- “The 1st duty of every Government must be to protect our security. We cannot have our military inadequately funded at a time of growing threats. It is time to get serious. We need to put more money in defence and that means increasing spending to 3 per cent of GDP this Parliament. Whoever is the next Prime Minister mustmake our security a priority."

Helen Whately MP, Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, said:- "The Labour Party always seem to be able to find more money for benefits, but when it comes to protecting our country, the kitty is empty. Conservatives have set out ways to fund our military, including:- reinstating the 2 child benefit cap and creating a sovereign defence fund. We have explained where the money comes from and how Labour could do this. We are now reissuing our offer to work together in the national interest to make welfare savings to fund defence."