Ex-Defence Chiefs Side for UK to Stay in EU

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

Canada: Oye! Times readers Get FREE $30 to spend on Amazon, Walmart…
USA: Oye! Times readers Get FREE $30 to spend on Amazon, Walmart…

Several ex-defence chiefs have consented that the UK is safer and will be better be able to meet a range of global threats, like so-called Islamic State and Russia, if it stays in the EU. According to a letter supporting to stay in the bloc, 13 of the UK’s most senior military figures pointed out that being in the EU allowed UK to better work with European countries on security issues. However on the other hand, two defence ministers have also backed the campaign to leave the bloc.

The referendum on UK’s decision to should stay or leave the EU will be held on 23 June. The letter issued by Downing Street was signed by officers from all three services including former Chiefs of Defence Staff Lord Bramall and Jock Stirrup.  The letter admitted that even though NATO is still the most important alliance for UK security, the EU was an “increasingly important pillar of our security.” It was added that Europe is facing “grave security challenges” from instability in the Middle East, the rise of so-called Islamic State and “resurgent Russian nationalism and aggression”.

The letter pointed out that “Britain will have to confront these challenges whether it is inside or outside the EU. But within the EU, we are stronger,” adding that “inside it, we can continue to collaborate closely with our European allies, just as we did when we helped to force the Iranians to the negotiating table through EU-wide sanctions, or made sure that [Russian President] Putin would pay a price for his aggression in Ukraine.”