UK's Howarth to Cameron: Defence - not overseas aid

From the BBC:

12 September 2012

Gerald Howarth urges David Cameron to focus on defence not aid

Sir Gerald Howarth lost his job in the recent reshuffle

A defence minister who lost his job in last week's reshuffle has urged the PM to reverse cuts to the defence budget and stop spending more on overseas aid.

Sir Gerald Howarth said he would like to see axed defence programmes revived when economic circumstances allowed.

He also contrasted the 7% cut in defence with the rise in financial support for international development.

"I have yet to meet a Conservative who thinks we should be spending more money on overseas aid," he told the BBC.

Sir Gerald lost his job at the Ministry of Defence in Mr Cameron's government reshuffle last week, after which he was nominated for a knighthood by the prime minister.

'Higher priority'

He has now written to Mr Cameron urging him to prioritise defence in future spending decisions.

In an interview with the BBC, he said ministers regretted having to make cuts in defence programmes since they came to power but had to do so because of the "catastrophic" mess inherited from Labour....

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