We are standing at a pivotal moment in global security. But fear of the future can lead to a narrowing of perspective, and nowhere is this more obvious–and dangerous–than in defence. Labour’s rhetoric and recent actions highlight a deeply worrying, short-sighted concept of defence and security. If we want to build true security, Britain needs to change course.
Having worked in international development, I know security isn’t forged at the barrel of a gun, but built through cooperation, resilience, and shared prosperity. Yet earlier this year, our government chose to slash an already reduced overseas aid budget to ramp up spending on defence. This was not only utterly disappointing—it was counterproductive, undermining the partnerships we need to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges.
Too often, we reduce “defence” to bombs and guns. But global events have shown us today’s biggest threats may come in the form of cyber warfare, disinformation, disease, or economic coercion. We felt this during the pandemic, when Covid shut down the global economy faster than any missile could. And the greatest long-term threat we face is not a hostile state, but the climate crisis. Cutting the lifeline of aid to vulnerable countries undermines our ability both to adapt to climate impacts and to build the resilience that meets every facet of security.
The “three Ds” of defence, diplomacy, and development must work together. Overseas aid strengthens public health, promotes human rights, builds infrastructure, and protects ecosystems—each essential for global stability. When we help farmers overseas switch to drought-resilient crops, or engage in peacekeeping missions in countries on the brink of conflict, we are not performing charity; we are reducing drivers of conflict and preventing displacements that fuel instability. We are addressing root causes of migration, rather than building walls.
Moreover, climate change is a global problem that demands global solutions. By championing robust foreign aid alongside an ambitious emissions-reduction pathway, the UK can lead by example, convening coalitions, financing green technologies, and ensuring countries have resources to transition away from polluting industrial models.
Investing in overseas aid saves lives and builds prosperity. It mitigates migration pressures and forges alliances that bolster our security. Conversely, pouring more money into nuclear weapons and conventional arms while starving our development budget is a false economy—it sacrifices long-term stability for an illusion of short-term strength.
This is our choice: restore our aid budget, refocus defence spending on addressing the full range of modern threats we face, and champion combating climate change. By fusing defence, diplomacy, and development into a coherent strategy for genuine security, Britain can safeguard its own future, empower our global partners, and prove true strength lies not in warheads, but in winning together.