Stuart Anderson MP ‘humbled’ to be appointed Shadow Armed Forces Minister
South Shropshire MP Stuart Anderson has said he is ‘humbled’ to be appointed as Shadow Minister for the Armed Forces. As a veteran, Stuart added that he is ‘honoured’ to have been asked to fulfil this role at such a critical time for the country’s defences, when the world is more dangerous and volatile than at any time since the end of the Cold War.
The role means that Stuart will play a central role in His Majesty’s Most Loyal Opposition, holding the Government to account on its commitments to the Armed Forces. Here, Stuart will scrutinise the administration, spending, and policy of Ministers within the Ministry of Defence. This includes Armed Forces recruitment and readiness, posture and deployment, and global commitments and crisis response.
Stuart will also shadow the progress of schemes for which the Armed Forces Minister is responsible such as support for Ukraine, the Armed Forces Commissioner scheme, permanent joint operating bases, military aid to civilian authorities, and the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme.
The appointment comes as the new government announces a ‘root and branch’ review of all aspects of UK defence that is due to report in the first half of 2025 and could involve a ‘reprioritisation’ of roles, capabilities, activities, and support. The Conservative’s own plan would have seen defence spending increase to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2030, reaching £87 billion a year. Stuart said that he wants the new government to make the same commitment, providing certainty to the Armed Forces and wider defence industry.
Stuart added that his experience makes him well-prepared to help the country chart a course towards a more secure future as the strategic defence review is undertaken. He said that he will insist that the new Government takes the bold action that the UK needs to secure its future in an uncertain world, with his priorities focused on three areas outlined by the Conservatives: firing up the UK’s defence industrial base, modernising our Armed Forces, and backing Ukraine.
Stuart Anderson MP said:
“I am humbled to be appointed the Shadow Minister for the Armed Forces. As a veteran, I am honoured to take up this important role in His Majesty’s Most Loyal Opposition. I know first-hand the skill, dedication, and bravery shown by our Armed Forces every day. In a world that is more dangerous than it has been since the end of the Cold War, this is a critical time for our Armed Forces. I will be a proud champion of our veterans, all those who serve our country, and their loved ones, who sacrifice so much. I will hold this new government to account as it undertakes its strategic review of defence, doing all that I can to ensure our Armed Forces have the resources, capabilities and strategic oversight to deter, prevent, and defend us from threats both at home and abroad."
