‘Let’s bolster security to send a strong message’

Sadly, it now looks like the Russians have overstepped the mark again. If it is proven 100 per cent that the Russians are behind it then this attack using Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs) in the Salisbury attack has to be considered either a state-sponsored terrorist attack and/or an unprovoked act of war.

Much like a playground bully Putin is intent on raising the UK to defend itself, and quite rightly we should. In my opinion we should have had a robust response in defending our nation long before now. They have clearly been emboldened by our refusal to act against their previous attacks on UK sovereignty, and further talk of appeasement or a proportional response is both embarrassing and pathetic.

Beyond this attack in Salisbury, not only are the Russians allegedly trying to hack into our security, defence and national infrastructure but they are regularly flying planes into our airspace refusing to identify themselves and/or ignoring calls to change course. We need to increase our defensive capability in order to stop these unprovoked attacks. But how?

We need to show our short-term and long-term commitment to our defence. In the short term expelling diplomats and seizing funds might help. In the long term an increase of our military spending to three per cent of GDP.

An excellent way to do this is reorder six of the 12 amazing new Type 45 destroyers we previously cancelled. These ships are hugely capable and send a long-term signal to those that might attack us conventionally. One weapon in their arsenal is the Aster 30 missile that can eliminate a threat from 120km away.

To defend against WMDs and cyber-attacks we should also increase our support for organisations like Porton Down, GCHQ and others.

Shame on those that draw party political lines to bolster their own egos such as May, Johnson or Corbyn.

This is about the security of our people.

Work together and let’s get the job done!

Richard Rowles, Wherwell