The Home of Common Sense. This is Talk.

Let's talk, though, to Tobias Elwood MP, former Defence Select Committee chair, of course.

A couple of big stories, Tobias. Very good morning to you to talk to you about.

There's a big army mobilisation plan coming in September, where reservists are going to be asked to put themselves up and

bring themselves forward to evaluate the deployment readiness of about 10,000 people.

Is this a good idea?

It is a very good idea.

We simply cannot ignore the gradual but clear demise of our global order as the competing and rival

interpretation is advanced by China, Russia, Iran and indeed other countries. Globalization is on

the retreat. Our world, make it very clear, is sliding ever towards multiple conflicts, a world

at war. And Britain cannot defend

our interests, let alone step forward to help vulnerable allies unless we remodel our defense

posture. It's why there's a discussion about introducing national service, why I want to see us,

not move just to 2.5% GDP defense spend, but 3%.

All of this is a grim reminder that we're increasingly enduring a very grim chapter in our history.

And part of this mobilization is a recognition that we can't keep a standing army at high readiness the entire time. It simply

costs too much. The involvement of the reserves to bolster our capability to advance our defence

posture is absolutely critical. So I really welcome this huge exercise that's taking place.

The first I understand for almost 20 years.

But I suppose to answer the question, do we need to do it? You need to first ask the question,

how do we get here then? Why is the world becoming so dangerous? Why has the world

sort of broken up into factions? And why is Russia, Iran and the Axis of Evil, if you want to call it that,

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