Defence cuts leave no spare capacity

2.03.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 11th Oct 2004

The Labour government has thanked British forces for their efforts in Iraq and around the world by announcing defence cuts which will hit home here in Wiltshire.

Warminster based Black Watch under threat

There is concern that The Black Watch, whose 1st Battalion are currently based in Warminster are serving their second tour in Iraq, could be in line for disbandment. Bases at Colerne and Hullavington airfields are also threatened with closure , and the Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire regiment faces possibly being split three ways - effectively disbandment.

Sadly the door has been left wide open for this move by the Conservative opposition identifying Defence as an area to which they intend to look to fund tax cuts.

Lib Dem Defence Spokesman, Paul Keetch MP, speaks with British soldiers in the Gulf.

Paul Keetch MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Defence Secretary said:

"Iraq has shown that winning the peace needs more troops on the ground than winning the war. These changes assume no new commitments. A bit of spare capacity would have been a good insurance policy."