Snap election will '˜stabilise' Britain's defence sector, minister says

BRITAIN'S defence secretary has said a snap election will not derail the nation's key military projects.

Sir Michael Fallon made the comments in the wake of prime minister Theresa May’s shock announcement of a June General Election this morning.

Defence secretary Sir Michael Fallon during a visit to Portsmouth last year. Photo:  Malcolm Wellsplaceholder image
Defence secretary Sir Michael Fallon during a visit to Portsmouth last year. Photo: Malcolm Wells

The former minister for Portsmouth praised the decision and claimed the move would not destabilise Britain’s defence budgets.

Instead, he said this new election would offer a chance to bring increased stability for a fresh five-year period.

His comments come a day after a retired admiral lambasted Whitehall for its culture of delay and budget-busting in bringing some of Royal Navy’s key projects like the new aircraft carriers.

Speaking this afternoon, Sir Michael said: ‘In an increasingly uncertain world this will give us certainty and stability for the next five years.

‘We have commitments to make to Nato, we have ambitions now to step up globally – we’re playing our part in the coalition against Daesh in the Middle East.

‘A new mandate for the full five-year term will give us the certainty and stability we need to project our country internationally and do what we can to strengthen security.’

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