.Liberal Democrats are demanding an extra £300 million a year for the police. But we also need to tackle the root causes of violent crime to stop it spreading in our communities. That requires a public health approach involving police, health professionals, social workers and teachers.

Exercise 🔱 #TridentJuncture 18 brought together 50,000 personnel, 10,000 vehicles, 250 aircraft and 65 ships from 31 NATO and partner nations in 🇳🇴 #Norway

You can find readings from War Poets, including one by me, here youtube.com/playlist?list=…

In a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart, Sir Gavin Williamson CBE MP announced HMS Echo will deploy to the Black Sea next year and UK will step up its training programmes. Read more: ow.ly/8yFd30mHv7r

UK has 2 cutters to patrol 7723 miles of coast. Italy has 600 to guard 4722 miles. UK has deployed 2 to help in Med/Aegean migrant crisis. But not much sign of being able to safeguard our borders under #Brexit

European Army? Short note on implications at defenceviewpoints.co.uk

European Army? maybe not....

All change amongst UK's top military defenceviewpoints.co.uk

A Spanish warship has illegally sailed through the waters of the British territory of Gibraltar, blasting the Spanish national anthem on loudspeakers.

The PM and the Government will not allow debates next week on #Brexit or the withdrawal deal. This is a scandal. They are trying to run down the clock and blackmail Parliament into backing the deal by leaving it to the last minute. A #PeoplesVote is needed now more than ever.

Looking around the world - commentary on Chief of Defence Staff Christmas lecture by Nick Watts at defenceviewpoints.co.uk

"The North is Ours" declares Russian TV, as it reports on Putin's Arctic trip. Reminds me of "Crimea is Ours" - heard that one a lot in 2014

17% of #Latvian Armed Forces are women 🇱🇻. Some of them exercised together w/ 🇺🇸🇨🇦🇨🇿🇪🇪🇫🇷🇭🇺🇩🇪🇮🇹🇲🇰🇳🇱🇸🇮 troops in #AlliedSpirit VI in #Germany

European Chiefs: NATO cooperation remains vital for maritime security trib.al/NWsiC3y

Another terrorist outrage in St Petersburg, part of our Common European Home. Deepest sympathies to the Russian people

.Standard News: 'fair to say no-one predicted that Gib wd become early flashpoint in Brexit negs'. Oh dear, in fact was widely predicted.

Lib Dem Armed Forces Group now on Facebook. Lib Dems email [email protected] for an invitation to join

Great, but late? x.com/DefenceHQ/stat…

The Westminster attack was assault on democracy – let it not be an assault on freedom - my article for The House - bit.ly/2oAQxkc