"Defence decisions must be determined by foreign policy, not by the Treasury," says the lead letter in The Daily Telegraph.
This is from Col David Hills retired. You can see why he is retired, and still a Colonel rather than a General. He talks far too much sense.
But, of course, to recognise that principle also requires looking at the Elephant in the Room. That is not allowed. So we have acres of newsprint, a torrent of comment and thousands of overpaid backsides warming God-knows how many committee chairs – all to absolutely no avail.
There is no getting away from it though – determining defence policy without first working out your foreign policy is a complete waste of time - and some. But to do it when you know that the real reason is because you can't bring in the "elephant" is just dishonest. Then, that's what they call politics.
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