Arms Procurement - Labour Peer Lord West's Ignorant Remarks

Remember when Labour politicians at least made a pretence of having ethical standards? Lord West made the "appalling" remarks about Britain's allies, both of which deployed to Afghanistan and Libya alongside UK forces, as he unveiled a report aimed at tackling delays and overspends in defence procurement.

The Labour peer and former First Sea Lord spoke of his "annoyance" at suggestions that Britain's military role was diminished in the 21st century.

He said: "This business of a second-tier power - we are probably, depending on what figures you use, the fifth or sixth wealthiest nation in the world.

"We have the largest percentage of our GDP on exports, apart from the tiny countries around the world, we run world shipping from the UK, we are the largest European investor in south Asia, south east Asia (and) the Pacific Rim, so our money and our wealth depends on this global scene.

"We are a permanent member of the (United Nations) Security Council and I think that gives us certain clout and certain ability.

"These mean we are not a second-tier power. We are not bloody Denmark or Belgium, and if we try to become that, I think we would be worse off as a result."

His comments came in a question and answer session with 100 defence industry experts and journalists at Labour headquarters in London as the party revealed the findings of a 10-month review into defence procurement, aimed at getting better value for money from buying equipment for the UK's armed forces. From Here.