James Cartlidge: “Russia’s provocative actions are totally unjustified, and we back our brave service personnel in facing them down.”

All of Labour's strategic defense review promises will be taken with a pinch of salt unless they can show there will actually be enough money to pay for them.

Britain must do the same, but whilst other countries have used conscription, we remain committed to a professional, volunteer armed forces - and that means we need to make reserve service financially worthwhile.

It's deeply disrespectful to ignore such service and sacrifice.

Only by prioritising defence spending over a bigger welfare state can the government hope to deliver the funding our forces need.