Issuing defence bonds to help restore Britain’s military

That this House believes that, in a world made more dangerous by Donald Trump's reckless war in the Middle East and Vladimir Putin’s aggression in Ukraine and the rest of Europe, the UK cannot afford to continue drifting on defence; recognises the urgent need to rebuild the country’s armed forces and strengthen national resilience following years of being hollowed out by the previous Government; welcomes the Liberal Democrat proposal for defence bonds to raise up to £20 billion over two years for capital investment in defence equipment and capability; notes that such a scheme would back British industry, jobs and innovation while giving the public a direct stake in strengthening the nation’s security; further believes that defence bonds would help increase Britain’s strategic autonomy and support the goal of increasing defence spending to 3% of GDP; and calls on the Government to establish a capped and time-limited defence bonds programme subject to strong parliamentary oversight.