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Let's hope the PM has very clear handwriting and not one like a doctors then!

seems most Re debating where to spend our defence money, which is a sensible place to be. There are those though that think there are better things to spend our money on. National security is one of the core principles of a state. We can all debate whether its nuclear or not but I think 2.2%...

Fair enough, I take the point. if we could best serve nato through another means whilst ensuring we have a sufficient defence then ok. It is pretty difficult to call how we are best do this within the club. But I do think the yanks want us to keep it and I suspect it gives us more cloat

Not sure yxee wants to blow up the world, at least not from the posts I have seen. Best to keep him away from the button just in case though

I tend to try and weigh up the facts and opinions and then take a view. Not sure it's one eyed. Anyway it's no criticism of Germany, they spend less than half what we do on defence for worthy historical reasons. On the American point they want us to keep trident

Indeed. The problem is we cannot unlearn how to build a nuclear weapon and other hideous war weapons. We must therefore do our best to ensure we are suitably protected

The Germans are free loading on this which is fine, they are mindful of their WW experiences. You can only have so many though before the burden is too great on one country.

A defence "club" only works if people pay their way. Doesn't mean everyone pays the same as there are different circumstances for all but expecting the US to do all is not credible. Anyway regardless 2.2% of GDP is reasonable for a sovereign state to protect itself. I suspect I spend that much...

According to SIPRI in 2014 we spent 2.2% of our GDP on defence related spend. Same as France, Uganda and Vietnam. Much less than the U.S. and Russia of course. More then countries like Germany and Japan who are more reticent post WWII. Anyway, feels about right to me

Yes. Defence is critical. I remember when the Cold War ended and the feel good factor that the world was at peace. Didn't last long.