This was fundamentally an American project. Trump complained that Europe wasn't paying its way in defence of Western freedom (etc), as if the USA was charitably protecting everyone from the bullies. American Imperialism relies on pitching its tents on as much international territory as it can. It currently has 800 military facilities in 70 countries. That is an invaluable asset to the continuation of American Imperialism, the expansion of American political, economic, cultural, media, and military influence beyond the boundaries of the United States of America. Effectively, they want everyone to supply the land they need and then to pay 2.5% towards its expansion. That's why, in 2019, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stated that America would "deal" with socialist Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn if he looked to win the election and become Prime Minister of the UK (and he meant "deal" with Corbyn). You're paying 2.5% to maintain America's influence over the running of your own country.

I don't think it's necessary when we have other priorities..

Sure, if you are Poland or Finland, you might want an extra deterrent, just in case but there is no case for there being an immediate threat to the UK.

I think that this is being made a priority due to the jingoistic nature of the British press and the jaded post-imperialist hubris of our political class.

The Starner government's priorities are about doing as much as possible to insulate themselves from any plausible criticism that they are too left-wing or liberal. To lightly paraphrase what Blair said: They feel vulnerable to accusations of being woke.

Meanwhile, get ready for more austerity.

The mistake the present government has made, as the previous one did, is to behave as if a particular level of expenditure is desirable in itself. That is always the wrong approach, whether in defence or any other context. First, you need to define what you want to achieve; second, try to calculate how much that would cost; third, decide whether you can afford it and if so how. I have heard nothing from the Labour Party on the first of these, and I don't expect to hear anything soon.

So we're already second highest in Nato.

Now can we afford 2.5% when we have so many other public services on thier knees? That's a different and difficult question.

It's killing the ecosystem. NATO alone has emissions that we can't survive m. You can never plan for peace? It's probably the case - the West must be debased and ashamed, cut off from community and forced to admit peace as a possibility.

Get in the bin. Why are you asking to pay more tax/theft for war? Honestly

Putin has his eye on the Baltic Sea, making a corridor from Kalinsberg to Russia. A Swedish island, he must gain control.

Just a dream, maybe not, as China is now doing manoeuvres is Belaruse, and Hungary is the joker of the EU.

But why the hell are we widening the issue, and supporting Israel in their genicide of Gaza.
UK foreign policy needs to be handled with care.

Remember Singapore!

STOP voting for conservative political parties! Conservatives are the scourge of modern society. When you vote conservative, you are voting for life as you know it to remain as a status quo, non-progressive existence. Conservative agendas will also cause life as you know it to go backwards, like has happening in the USA after Trump and his far-right conservative wing of the Republican party took the USA back into the dark ages.

As long as the oldest countries get a senior's discount, I don't see a problem with it.