Militarism Today

Cathie Lloyd and Paddy Farrington ask 'how do we defend ourselves?'

Starmer’s approach to the defence review seems to be based on ‘deterrence’, relying on spending vast resources on various forms of weaponry as he vows to make Ukania 'battle ready'. But what of the general population he mentions as ‘playing their part’ in defence?

Almost twenty years ago we visited the Secret Bunker in Fife, a chilling reminder that the ‘civilian’ population was a mere footnote at the height of the Cold War for the UK government. Deep underground we found a single desk devoted to Health, another for Education, and so on. It was clear to us that people were not expected to survive a nuclear confrontation. Do any readers remember the civil defence brigades visiting schools in the 1960s armed with flower pots for cooking and advice to hide under the kitchen table after lining windows with brown paper? Or Thatcher’s ridiculous Protect and Survive in the 1980s? No wonder we don’t take civil defence seriously.

We were reminded that in the runup to the Second World war it took the organisational verve and political determination of people like Phil Piratin to argue for the opening of the London underground to the many who would need to shelter from the blitz.

Today the immediate threats are different. Cyber-attacks paralysing routine but vital services, power cuts and climate crisis emergencies like flooding, fire and pollution are more immediate, as are threats to undersea infrastructure and interference in the political process.

These threats are real, as witnessed by recent events experienced by many of our European neighbours. Yet Starmer’s review has nothing on this, focusing instead on eye-wateringly expensive nuclear submarines and military procurement. The most recent civil defence document we could find in the UK dates back to 2021 and is clearly aimed at the military, whereas the European Union’s Preparedness Union Strategy focuses on

‘strengthening cooperation and improving preparedness and response to disasters, including natural disasters and humanitarian crises. The EU is also providing substantial financial support for disaster preparedness and response, including €1.9 billion in initial humanitarian aid and funding for the European Civil Protection Pool. Additionally, the EU is investing in future defence solutions through the EDF 2025 Work Programme, focusing on areas like ground combat, space, and energy resilience.’

The UK still operates on the delusions of past imperialist grandeur, maintaining overseas bases and an expeditionary naval force. Meanwhile, the majority of citizens – though we are barely granted that status – are expected to rally round in (Union Jack) flag waving - but are not given a thought in terms of the actual threats to the social fabric of today.

Published 4 June 2025