UK has ‘lost momentum’ for war readiness – and ‘relies on enemies to leave us alone’

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1. The UK has “lost momentum” to prepare for war, the architect of the government’s landmark [Strategic Defence Review](https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/what-to-expect-defence-review-3725941?srsltid=AfmBOoorAInbhydsJRWXQJ7ZR0iLrjk6eZd_NGDvTsvC2iT8AT-zBMlJ&ico=in-line_link) (SDR) has warned.

   [Gen Sir Richard Barrons](https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/everyone-uk-must-prepare-for-missile-attacks-warns-top-general-3730408?srsltid=AfmBOorc4RxdDECUeGZSirs8FGfG3IwFcA3Vi-9lecfx6LYeoePy2h4L&ico=in-line_link), the lead author of the SDR, told *The i Paper* that Britain is currently “running on luck” and on the “fumes” of the post-Cold War era to protect itself from attack from [Russia](https://inews.co.uk/topic/russia?ico=in-line_link) or other hostile states.

   He warned there was a “troubling” lack of urgency from ministers to implement the recommendations of his report – including [preparing the UK for war](https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/britons-told-prepare-war-europe-three-four-years-3984047?srsltid=AfmBOorjNtEzW_EiY-gAkmdYMo4ymPr_MK7njpvUUvJYM7sqDrlGhqe-&ico=in-line_link).

   One of the core recommendations of the review, endorsed in full by Sir Keir Starmer and Defence Secretary John Healey when it was published in June, was a Defence Readiness Bill.

   The bill would streamline preparations in the defence sector and industry if the UK needs to move on to a [war footing](https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/uk-war-preparation-siren-alerts-phone-3770981?srsltid=AfmBOoqTx1AGnHqWEQxQPAwlzZ7Gw6Jj3WDBxgVYfN-wVRfSvgVnhBO0&ico=in-line_link), as well as improve protection of critical national infrastructure and bolster the UK’s homeland defence.

   But *The i Paper* has learnt that the legislation will not be put forward during the current parliamentary session, which runs until next spring, and that no date has yet been set for its introduction.

   Several government departments are working on the legislation, however, including the Cabinet Office who are leading on a “home defence programme”.

   Yet Barrons said he was nevertheless concerned about the “loss of a sense of urgency and loss of momentum” from the government.

   He said the bill would make it “much more straightforward and efficient for the country to mobilise not just defence but industry in support of a transition from a sort of normal confrontation to conflict”.

2. What a sad read. Blood in the water.

3. As usual UK bets on someone taking the pounding until they get their shit together

4. All of Europe has this problem, it seems only the countries bordering Russia have any ability to actually give a darn about the fact that they have shown expansionist policy for literally decades

5. it works for new zealand, so maybe they should give it a shot

6. This unprepared-for-war stich has worked so swimmingly for sucking America into the the last two world wars that any talk of change would just be the UK blowing smoke.

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