General Election 2019: Conservative Leader Boris Johnson Answers Defence Questions

The General Election is less than a month away.

Before voters head to the polls on Thursday 12 December, we have been asking politicians questions on defence.

Forces News sat down with Conservative Party leader Boris Johnson to discuss military issues ahead of the 2019 election.

Will defence spending increase under a Conservative government?

Boris Johnson praised Defence Secretary Ben Wallace for funding secured earlier this year for defence.

"This is a government which believes massively in strong armed services," Mr Johnson said.

"Not because we are bellicose, not because we are warmongers, but because we want to support our wonderful armed services."

What is the biggest threat to British security and defence?

Mr Johnson's answer focused on the Labour Party and its leader, Jeremy Corbyn.

The Tory leader suggested Mr Corbyn wants the armed services to be "banned" and that he supports "the enemies of this country".

Boris Johnson went on to describe the UK as the "second biggest power in NATO" and "massively important for the stability of the world".

"The UK is absolutely fundamental to the security of the world at the moment," he said.

"For us to walk away from our armed service, to lose our commitment, to throw away our nuclear deterrent... these are not sensible policies for the UK."

Why should the Armed Forces vote for the Conservatives?

Boris Johnson said: "When you look at what we're doing for veterans, look at what Johnny [Mercer] and his team are doing at the Ministry for Veterans, we support veterans."

The Tory leader went on to highlight his party's pledge to offer personnel "wrap-around" childcare for four- to 11-year-olds.

Regarding veterans, Mr Johnson said former personnel applying for public sector jobs would at least get an interview, as well as a promise to safeguard railcards for ex-servicemen and women.

Want your defence questions to be answered?

You can send a video of yourself asking a question to [email protected] - be sure to include your name and your link to the military, film your question horizontally and look directly at the camera.