All Nato countries should spend 3 per cent of their gross domestic product (GDP) on defence, Robert Jenrick has said.
The Conservative Party leadership hopeful warned that with another war between China and Taiwan on the horizon – and continued Russian “belligerence” in Ukraine – all members of the alliance should be investing more in defence.
Speaking to The Telegraph, Mr Jenrick said: “Peace comes through strength. To deter a Russian invasion of Nato, we must spend 3 per cent of GDP on defence and make that the new Nato standard for all member states.
“We must prepare for an American pivot to the Indo-Pacific to contain China, which means the UK and Europe stepping up to defend against Russian belligerence. The age of freeloading has come to an end.”
The former immigration minister made the comments ahead of Nov 2, when the results of the Tory leadership election will be announced.
His call for an increase in defence spending follows similar comments made by James Cleverly, who was knocked out of the leadership contest earlier this month.
Mr Cleverly said he wanted more spent on the military because “the defence of our nation is the first duty of Government”.