Page 64 - BR June 2024 with duck - converted

June 2024 June 2024
NEWS FROM WESTMINSTER

We have had elections locally in Dorset, and I want
to extend my thanks to all the candidates who stood
to represent their local communities. It is not easy
putting oneself forward for election, but it is vital for
our communities that we have people willing to do
so. The results were disappointing for the
Conservatives, and I am always sorry to see hard-
working dedicated local councillors lose their seats. In
Mid Dorset we still have one Conservative councillor
in West Purbeck, and I’m really pleased that David
Sidwick returned as the Police and Crime
Commissioner for Dorset.
When I first moved to Dorset more than 20 years ago, I regularly heard distant
rumblings in the evenings. Were these thunderstorms that didn’t quite reach my
village? No – this was the sound of our armed forces training across the Dorset
countryside. I spent my teenage years in a military town, but the special forces
tend to be quieter! I have never served myself (though I enjoyed CCF at school)
and I am always in admiration of - and incredibly thankful to - those who
dedicate their lives in protection of our country.

The Prime Minister has recently
announced the biggest
strengthening of the UK’s
national defence in a
generation, with a fully funded
plan to grow the defence
budget to 2.5% of GDP by
2030. Autocratic states like
Russia, Iran and China are
i nc re asi n gl y tr yi n g to
undermine democracy, and
we need to be ready. The
investment will focus on key high-tech capabilities, including air defence missiles
and anti-armour munitions, in addition to continued investment in artillery
ammunition.
This will support new high-quality jobs and economic growth across all of the UK –
and I know that Dorset will be part of that. My good friend the Defence
Procurement Minister has confirmed that Lulworth are doing night trials as part of
this work – so if you hear night-time rumblings, you can be sure that our armed
forces locally are at the cutting edge of our technological innovation.
We will also continue to support Ukraine, and have recently announced our
largest ever package of munitions and equipment for them. This includes 400

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