Key facts
- The head of the British Army warned of necessary sacrifices for defense and security.
- Politicians will initiate a "frank conversation" with the public on these sacrifices.
- Half of Britons surveyed would not fight for the UK under any circumstances.
- More than half of the population supports increased defense spending.
General Sir Roly Walker, Chief of the General Staff of the British Army, stated that politicians must prepare the public for necessary sacrifices to prioritize defense and security. He warned that the era of not having to think about war is over due to global geopolitical instability. Walker addressed 700 soldiers, emphasizing that the nation will need them and that the defense of the country will ultimately rest on its junior soldiers. The comments follow Defence Secretary Wes Streeting's remarks that increased defense spending involves difficult choices. A recent poll indicated that half of Britons would not fight for the UK, though more than half support increased defense spending, with a split on how to fund it. In the US, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has also urged senior military leaders to prepare for war and to eliminate "woke" culture.