Tri-Service

'Security' Key At Conservative Party Conference

The conference slogan this year is 'Security, Stability, Opportunity'. In the conference hall party members waved flags bearing the word 'security'.

It's a very different atmosphere to the last time the Conservatives were here in Manchester, when then Defence Secretary Philip Hammond was heckled on the opening day, over cuts to the Army and the closure of a local battalion.

There are two reasons that 'security' is a lead theme here. One is the ongoing fight against so-called Islamic State and the government's desire to extend airstrikes into Syria.

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon told the conference "Isil recognises no borders and has to be taken on wherever it roots. So we should not leave it to French, Australian, or American aircraft to keep our own streets safe."

But the prospect of British airstrikes in Syria is more complicated than a week ago, after the intervention of Russia in the air war. It raises more difficult questions, but hasn't put off Philip Hammond, now Foreign Secretary, who said:

“We will work with anyone who wants to join us in this struggle, including Russia. But if Russia wants to fight Isil, it cannot at the same time support Assad."

David Cameron's announcement that Britain is buying 20 new armed 'Protector' drones, meanwhile, was cited as evidence of the government's commitment to face down the threat from IS.

These replacements for 10 'Reaper' drones will almost certainly take years to deliver. In reality the government would be extremely worried if Protector were needed in Iraq or Syria by the time they arrive.

But it is also part of the second reason that 'security' leads the conference slogan. Good old-fashioned politics.

Once again we've heard the Conservatives warning that under Jeremy Corbyn, Labour is a threat to national security. This is an area where they think voters firmly back them, and they're looking to make up ground.