***TOP POLICY WAS DAN FOX’S ‘CYBER RESERVES: STRENGTH THROUGH EXPERTISE.’
NO.2 WAS JEREMY CORBYN MP’S ‘SCRAP TRIDENT’ POLICY
NO.3 WAS LEE GIBBS’ POLICY ON HELPING UNEMPLOYED PEOPLE GAIN WORK IN THE TERRITORIAL ARMY***
Following the recent publication of the Labour Party’s Shadow Defence Review, please join us for the first event of the Defence Team’s policy review. Chaired by Jim Murphy MP, the Shadow Defence Secretary, this is your opportunity to have your policy idea heard by Labour’s Defence Team, at an event using PragRad’s innovative Top Of The Policies format.
TOTP on Defence/Security is held in conjunction with Labour Friends of the Forces, who have said that anyone coming in the Top 5 on the night will be offered the chance to write up their idea for the LFF website.
The policy context of the evening is the Shadow Defence Review, which can be read here.
Details of the event:
2 minute policy ideas for the future of
UK Defence & Security policy
A joint event with LABOUR FRIENDS OF THE FORCES
- 2 MINS PER SPEAKER TO PRESENT A POLICY IDEA (up to 20 speakers)
- 2 MINUTES Q&A PER POLICY
- ONE VOTE – ONE TOP POLICY ON DEFENCE/SECURITY
WHEN? 6.30pm-8.30pm, MONDAY 26 MARCH
WHERE? THE BARLEY MOW (pub), 104 Horseferry Road, Westminster, London, SW1P 2EE ***In upstairs function room***
5-10 Mins walking distance from Parliament
REFRESHMENTS PROVIDED – FREE ENTRY – LABOUR MEMBERS/SUPPORTERS WELCOME
SPEAKERS: Introduction from PragRad Chair, John Slinger and Shadow Defence Secretary Jim Murphy MP.
***PRIZES FOR TOP POLICIES***
To have the chance to present your 2 minute policy idea on the on the night, please send your idea in the following format:
– Headline
– Explanation (1-2 sentences)
– How you wish to be referred to on the night (ie job title, organisation, etc)
Send to PragRad Chair, John Slinger john.slinger@pragmaticradicalism.co.uk, or use the comment form below. @PragRad @JohnSlinger
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PROMOTE THIS EVENT:
Facebook event – https://www.facebook.com/events/287362971336180/
Facebook PragRad group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/188903307818184/
Twitter – @PragRad #TopOfThePolicies (use this #tag to follow the event/contribute live)
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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)
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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