Wes Streeting announces we have 1,000 days to prepare for war.

Also, a thought. Nothing like broadcasting how weak and ill prepared we actually are right now.

OK; did he say what preparations we need to make?

Agreed. I have no idea why they blabber all this to the media. Surely the country should be run behind closed doors to a large degree but the press seem to sniff out everything now. Can you see Putin giving us all these kind of details?

That is 3 years. No coincidence that the budget is this week. I think it is perfectly possible to begin the building of our defences in that time. We have no choice imo opinion, given the parlous state of the world.

If you think that our enemies don’t know what level of preparedness we are in then you are very much mistaken. What they are however, not sure of, is our resolve.

Saying “who cares” isn’t sending out a good message I would have thought.

What Streeting is saying is nothing to do the issues which you have chosen to conflate.

archive.is/20261024194357/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/10/24/we-need-to-prepare-for-war-within-1000-days/#selection-4627.0-4627.341

Do you really think the surveillance networks of one country are unaware of the defence capabilities and vulnerabilities of others?

This is just Streeting making a case for more defence spending at the start of budget week.

Crossed posts saying more or less the same thing, WWM2.

I used to quite like Wes Streeting when he was a gay scholarship lad from a Council estate trying to take on the social, academic and political prejudices he encountered .
Now I think he’s what they call a busted flush- trying to sound deep and meaningful, who thinks it’s big to be a pessimist, to sell us out without a shred of national pride or spirit.
An inspirational Defence Secretary he is not not, nor even IMO a safe pair of hands

Its like musical chairs with the Labour Party, Wes Streeting Health Secretary one minute then in charge of Defence. John Healey Defence now Chancellor. God help us. Why can't we have politicians who actually have know what they are doing and have real experience in their brief.

Chestnut

Agreed. I have no idea why they blabber all this to the media. Surely the country should be run behind closed doors to a large degree but the press seem to sniff out everything now. Can you see Putin giving us all these kind of details?

Why on earth should government be mostly run behind closed doors?

1000 days is a very long time in World Politics.
I would love a quick peek at Mr Streeting's crystal ball.

If something doesn’t happen soon to mitigate the effects of the wars already taking place and the potential for escalation, I think he is being optimistic. As a country we have been more than dilatory about our security in the past fifty years, we have been neglectful, and we have to catch up quickly.

With Streeting in charge, very likely.

Wes Streeting was never a Boy Scout, otherwise he would know that we should always Be Prepared.

Don't worry, Wes, the Head of the Armed Forces and others who have great deal of experience, are aware of the threats but are quietly preparing. They just need the funds. We all know this.

Children were affected enough by the threats and school closures during Covid and now he frightens them with this announcement!

1000 days is a long time. Having said that, it's clear defence is crying out for more money to be directed into their coffers. For God's sake, support the people who need it, but stop handing out money to young people who have been diagnosed with ADHD for example, it's not a reason not to work, something's got to give to rearrange the country's finances, I wish that would be a starting point. In certain cases those on benefits have more disposable income than minimum wage workers. That cannot be right! The whole benefit system needs to be overhauled. Most importantly, we need to give more support to our farmers, out and about I often come across their signs to that effect.

Don't worry, Wes, the Head of the Armed Forces and others who have great deal of experience, are aware of the threats but are quietly preparing. They just need the funds. We all know this.

Absolutely this!

Burnham’s comment on “ welfare before warfare” indicates that it’s unlikely to change under his government.

Surely warfare is aggression though, not defence? I don’t think he meant defence spending wouldn’t be increased.

Peacelilydilly

Its like musical chairs with the Labour Party, Wes Streeting Health Secretary one minute then in charge of Defence. John Healey Defence now Chancellor. God help us. Why can't we have politicians who actually have know what they are doing and have real experience in their brief.

👏👏👏👏👏

They don't need to have experience as they are, or should be, briefed by advisers, senior civil servants, in this case the Heads of the Armed Forces.

However, having a Defence Minister with some inkling of the problems the Armed Forces and Security Services face would help.

Don’t tell him Pike!
We’re all being softened up for Russian cyber attacks and higher defence spending.

FriedGreenTomatoes2

Also, a thought. Nothing like broadcasting how weak and ill prepared we actually are right now.

Yep 👍🏻

I know how can these politicians flip flop from one position to another.
I would be giving that job to the most experienced for sure.

TerriBull

1000 days is a long time. Having said that, it's clear defence is crying out for more money to be directed into their coffers. For God's sake, support the people who need it, but stop handing out money to young people who have been diagnosed with ADHD for example, it's not a reason not to work, something's got to give to rearrange the country's finances, I wish that would be a starting point. In certain cases those on benefits have more disposable income than minimum wage workers. That cannot be right! The whole benefit system needs to be overhauled. Most importantly, we need to give more support to our farmers, out and about I often come across their signs to that effect.

That will give us enough time to stock up on the baked beans. Two per week 🤔

MawsRosie

I used to quite like Wes Streeting when he was a gay scholarship lad from a Council estate trying to take on the social, academic and political prejudices he encountered .
Now I think he’s what they call a busted flush- trying to sound deep and meaningful, who thinks it’s big to be a pessimist, to sell us out without a shred of national pride or spirit.
An inspirational Defence Secretary he is not not, nor even IMO a safe pair of hands

Never been a fan but I thought he - and Tom Tugenhat (spelling? - was excellent on Wuestion Time 🤷‍♀️