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  Nothing fickle at all Marek. A strategic defence review should be done every 10 years, it was dodged by the last government when it should have been done due to their lack of real interest in defence. These reviews do not simply mean cuts at all and indeed can result in increased Defence spending.
  
  The Conservatives correctly were critisising the last government for their appalling treatment of defence and, quite responsibly promised the defence review.
  
  You refer to the ship buidling, thats a joke. The Royal Navy never did get the fleet size identified by Labour as necessary in their SDR in 1997. The Type 45's alone have been cut back from 12 to 6. They kept putting off the building of the carriers, pushing up the cost.
  
  The fact is they have not said they are cutting troop numbers as you suggest, Liam Fox has simply and quite correctly ruled nothing out ahead of the SDR. There is no point in an SDR if you start pre-judging it.
  
  We have a very difficut financial situation thanks to the old government, leaving the defence budget in a poor state. If they had handled the finances better then we might be able to get an increase in defence spending but that will not be possible.
  
  one thing is certain, the forces will get better treatment and a higher priority under this government. there is a large number of ex-forces people in the Conservative government and back benches who understand and take an interest in these matters. Unlike Labour who only had Eric Joyce with any sgnificant service career or interest in these matters.

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