15 Comments

1. Reply

   John Slinger

   Posted March 8, 2012 at 12:47 PM

   POLICY IDEA SUBMITTED:

   Headline: The UK should publish a declaratory posture relating to cyber attacks

   Explanation- The declaratory posture would state when and how the UK would respond to particular types of cyber attack. The purpose of this cheap policy is twofold: i) it would convey the seriousness of attacking certain targets and ii) decrease tension, by acknowledging that cyber espionage is not the same as war.

   Andrew Gibson – Freelance researcher and Secretary of Nottinghamshire Fabian Society

2. Reply

   John Slinger

   Posted March 10, 2012 at 9:22 PM

   POLICY IDEA SUBMITTED:

   Cyber Reserves: strength through expertise

   Cyberspace is not just a new means of communication and exchange. It
   is a whole new environment, and one that is as crucial to UK national
   security as land, sea and air.

   Other governments have tens of thousands of people deployed to
   cyberspace – and not just for defensive purposes.

   Creating a Cyber Reserve – dedicated civilians with the knowledge and
   ability to protect our cyber borders – will not only reap rewards in
   defence policy but in the education and economic arenas, too. With the
   right investment in skills – including cyber apprenticeships – we can
   create true competitive advantage.

   There are already specialist reserve units in the British Army
   providing expertise in the fields of railway, power, fuel, ports and
   water infrastructure. Our cyber infrastructure deserves – needs – the
   same attention.

   Dan Fox is an Honorary Research Associate at University College
   London, working on innovation in the field of security and resilience.

3. Reply

   John Slinger

   Posted March 10, 2012 at 9:26 PM

   POLICY IDEA SUBMITTED:

   HUMANITARIAN INTERVENTION ABROAD? LET’S START AT HOME.

   A simple idea which will address a problem that Western Liberal Democracies have always faced. Syria, Libya, Sierra Leone, Uganda – you name the countries and the world can name the problems, so why is it that politicians flip-flop when it comes to humanitarian intervention?

   There is no consistency in proffering military support and the question of whether we are interest-led or value-led is often answered retrospectively?

   Whatever motivates our Defence Policy, it’s time we learnt exactly what our interests are and what our values our – this policy proposal is based on just that: getting out there and speaking to the Party Membership, General Public and Service People to shape and determine our values and interests, which in turn will be the underbelly of Labour’s Defence Policy.

   Ryan Wain, Education Ambassador at the West India Committee

4. Reply

   John Slinger

   Posted March 13, 2012 at 5:27 PM

   POLICY IDEA SUBMITTED:

   Making NATO accountable to the public in NATO member states

   More transparency is needed to make NATO accountable to the public in NATO member states. The Secretary General should answer Parliamentary Questions and report more fully on NATO policies and decisions; and our Labour defence review should commit us to press for these changes in the North Atlantic Council.

   Hugh Bayley – Labour MP for York Central and Vice President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

5. Reply

   John Slinger

   Posted March 16, 2012 at 9:43 AM

   POLICY IDEA SUBMITTED:

   Cyber Warfare – The digital solution to defence

   We have seen the power of cyber warfare, with the suspected Russian cyber attacks on Estonian electronic infrastructure and the Iranian republican guard allegedly bringing down an american UAV. We know the potential of this method of warfare and we as a nation should be begin the process of utilising its benefits as part of our strategic capabilities.

   James Beckles
   Labour Party Member

6. Reply

   John Slinger

   Posted March 16, 2012 at 10:28 AM

   POLICY IDEA SUBMITTED:

   THE REDUCTION OR ABOLITION OF TAX FOR SERVING PERSONNEL

   One of the greatest disgraces facing our Armed forces at the moment is the pitiful pay and living conditions recieved by serving personnel.

   However, with austerity measures kicking in, and the contempt with which the ConDems hold the MOD, it would be almost impossible to attempt a payrise measure. Instead I propose that the taxes of all serving personnel be reduced, with the greatest cut to the lowest paid. This would not only provide extra income for these men, women and their families, but potentially provide a boost in growth in our Forces towns, which often suffer from disproportionate deprivation.

   PAUL LYNCH – LABOUR COUNCIL CANDIDATE IN ST HELENS, AND FORMER MIDSHIPMAN IN THE ROYAL NAVY RESERVE.

7. Reply

   John Slinger

   Posted March 16, 2012 at 11:20 AM

   POLICY IDEA SUBMITTED:

   Dragging the UN Security Council into the 21st Century

   This World War II relic needs modernising to make it more relevant,
   respresentative and respected. Suggested pathway to reforming this
   dated institution.

   Mike Morgan-Giles
   Political communications consultant and writer @mgonthemike

8. Reply

   John Slinger

   Posted March 20, 2012 at 2:41 PM

   POLICY IDEA SUBMITTED:

   Increasing overseas influence:

   One of Britain’s most pressing missions in Defence and Foreign Affairs is alliance building, but we need to focus our shrinking budget on elements of our military that other countries do not possess. If, for argument’s sake, the situations in Iran or North Korea were to deteriorate, we would have a vested interest in keeping local nations from turning to our competitors- nations with dubious records.

   My suggestion: Discuss our capability to up-gun and extend the fabrication of the Type 45 destroyer, Astute class submarine and Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 in order to be able to project power across the globe whilst maintaining the ability to react to unforeseen events elsewhere.

   Baden Vaughan Roberts (Student, North Wales)

9. Reply

   John Slinger

   Posted March 20, 2012 at 2:42 PM

   POLICY IDEA SUBMITTED:

   A complete overhaul of the Territorial Army

   The planned reliance on the Territorial army by the current Government is not practicable, they are not able to deploy to combat situations as a whole territorial unit. More use of Reservists is feasible but the current (and planned structure) of the Territorial army is not fit for task.

   Closer links between Regular and TA units to be used which will allow parts of the MOD Estate to be sold off and leave a territorial Army far better trained and integrated with the Regular Army

   Cllr Alasdair Ross – Ipswich CLP, LFF Advocate and ex Regular soldier and reservist

10. Reply

    John Slinger

    Posted March 23, 2012 at 10:06 AM

    POLICY IDEA SUBMITTED:

    The UK’s carrier strike capability

    It is clear that while the UK needs to re-instate a carrier strike capability the MoD is struggling to afford it. As debate rages over whether to fit ‘cats and traps’ and which variant of the F-35 should fly from the ships, debate should in addition focus on alternative aircraft types that could replace the F-35, either as an interim measure until the F-35 becomes affordable or as a permanent solution.

    Tom Page, party member.

11. Reply

    John Slinger

    Posted March 26, 2012 at 11:03 AM

    POLICY IDEA SUBMITTED:

    Enshrining the independence of intelligence assessment in law

    The Butler Review did much to highlight issues affecting the impartiality of the intelligence assessments which support a range of national security policies (including decisions regarding military intervention). Many of its recommendations have been implemented, providing some safeguards against the risk of political pressure unduly influencing intelligence analysis. However, the potential still remains for political considerations to undermine the independence of the intelligence advice provided to government. Definitive legislation protecting the intelligence assessment community from interference would be one measure that could help to rebuild public confidence in an assertive foreign and defence policy.

    Submitted by Chris Wragg, a neutral observer

12. Reply

    John Slinger

    Posted March 26, 2012 at 11:33 AM

    POLICY IDEA SUBMITTED:

    STRENGTHEN NATO – CONCENTRATE ON CONVENTIONAL FORCES

    NATO and its partners now perceive the alliance in more pragmatic terms than was the case during the Cold War era. NATO watchers have to be imbued with patience by the bucket load as formal mechanisms for NATO reform move at a ponderous pace, yet the future direction is clear. The nuclear element of the alliance will become less critical in years to come.

    The UK must revisit its long-term nuclear contribution to the alliance as 1) the impact on the alliance of a phasing out of the UK nuclear contribution will be negligible 2) the opportunity cost of not doing so will be considerable.

    STEVE HUCKLESBY

    Policy Adviser, Baptist, Methodist & United Reformed Churches working together

13. Reply

    John Slinger

    Posted March 26, 2012 at 12:58 PM

    POLICY IDEA SUBMITTED:

    Scrap Trident

    Labour should focus the UK’s defence forces on the real security needs
    of the country, and end our possession of nuclear weapons by scrapping
    Trident and ending plans to replace it.

    The UK should commit to advancing nuclear disarmament and
    non-proliferation and securing international agreement of a Nuclear
    Weapons Convention.

    Jeremy Corbyn, Labour MP for Islington North, Vice-Chair of CND

14. Reply

    John Slinger

    Posted March 26, 2012 at 3:30 PM

    POLICY IDEA SUBMITTED:

    Jobs for the UK and Typhoon aircraft for the Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers

    There is a credible alternative to the F-35 which could be built in the UK, would have excellent and proven military capability, and which would safeguard critical defence manufacturing infrastructure and UK jobs. This alternative would be a naval version of the Typhoon aircraft.

    Amanda Ramsay, columnist Labour Uncut and former Cabinet Member/Councillor

15. Reply

    John Slinger

    Posted March 26, 2012 at 4:03 PM

    POLICY IDEA SUBMITTED:

    ESTABLISH A HUMANITARIAN INTERVENTION TASKFORCE ACROSS THREE SERVICES

    A new taskforce is needed to enable the UK to better carry out its responsibilities under the emerging Responsibility To Protect doctrine. This taskforce would have a permanent headquarters, as per NATO’s Allied Rapid Reaction Corps and would bring together international best practice on and plan for nation-building following humanitarian interventions.

    JOHN SLINGER – LABOUR COUNCIL CANDIDATE & CHAIR OF PRAGMATIC RADICALISM