Defence Matters campaign hosting fringe event at Conservative Party Conference in Liverpool on Tuesday 5th October at 12.30pm. Practically every Parliamentary constituency has a connection to the defence and security industry and Defence Matters wants to highlight to Conservative Party members how the sector contributes to the UK’s national well-being. The fringe event “Defence Review 2010: Afghanistan and Beyond” will take place from 12.30pm to 2pm in the Dods Marquee 3 in the ICC.
Chaired by David Robertson of The Times newspaper, the panellists are:
- Peter Luff MP, Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology.
- Laura Sandys MP.
- Nick Witney, Senior Policy Fellow, European Council on Foreign Relations.
- Nigel Whitehead, Group Managing Director, BAE Systems
Ahead of the publishing of the Government’s Strategic Defence and Security Review, expected in the coming weeks, the panel will speak on what they see as the nation’s defence and security priorities. They will also discuss what Government has to do to meet the challenges the UK faces at home and abroad, taking in the current conflict in Afghanistan as well as future conflicts which might arise.
Rees Ward, Secretary of the Defence Industries Council, speaking on behalf of Defence Matters, said:
“Industry has welcomed the principle of a Strategic Defence and Security Review and this event offers a chance to discuss the crucial issues that it will present. The next few weeks will be critical for the country’s security and industrial future. We are concerned that the SDSR has not taken the full industrial implications into account. The Defence Industrial and Technology Policy is therefore an opportunity to ensure that a robust and sustainable plan for the long term is put in place.
“Defence Matters seeks to re-connect the UK defence industry with the British public. This event is an ideal opportunity to consider the fact that there are 300,000 highly skilled, hardworking people in the defence and security sector who take very seriously their role in supporting our Armed Forces, particularly in Afghanistan. As an industry we work hard in partnership with the relevant government departments to pioneer novel and more effective methods for procuring, supporting and upgrading the military capability that our nation needs.”