Britons are backing increased defence spending to help the UK counter threats from Russia and China. A petition urging the Government to halt plans to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP has failed to gain traction, attracting just 710 signatures, at the time of writing, since its launch on 3 April.
The petition argues that a bigger military budget would “exacerbate international tensions” and increase the likelihood of British involvement in future wars. But despite that warning, support has been minimal. At its current rate, it is projected to close in October with barely 1,300 signatures.
Its muted reception comes as Britain embarks on one of its most significant defence transformations in decades.
The Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June, outlines the most sweeping overhaul of the UK armed forces since the Franco-Prussian War era more than 150 years ago.
With senior strategists warning of potential conflict with Russia within two to seven years, the focus now is on how technology can augment a relatively modest personnel base.
That means investing heavily in drone systems, autonomous and semi-autonomous platforms, and restocking key munitions.
Billions are being committed to replenishing 7,000 missiles and other ammunition and creating at least six new energetics plants, where the explosive cores are fitted.
But while much of this is being done in partnership with industry, delivering all of these capabilities will require UK defence spending to rise to 3.5% of GDP by 2034.
Given that Britain has hovered just below the 2% NATO baseline for the past decade, reaching this new target presents a major challenge for the Treasury. And it will only be achievable if the Government is confident of public backing.
Polls suggest that support is there.
A YouGov survey conducted on 2 June found 49% of UK adults favour increasing defence spending. Just 11% want it reduced, and 22% back keeping it at current levels. The remainder are undecided.
In an era marked by economic pressure, geopolitical fatigue and domestic volatility, such polling offers rare clarity – and, potentially, licence to act.
Nor is Britain alone in rearming. NATO allies across Europe are making similar commitments to spending, modernisation and resilience. Far from “exacerbating tensions,” these moves reflect the growing consensus that credible deterrence is once again essential – and overdue.
Against that backdrop, the petition appears less a grassroots campaign and more a political footnote.
With just 31 people signing in the past 24 hours, according to UK Defence Journal, it has failed to approach the 10,000-signature threshold that triggers a Government response – and remains far from the 100,000 required to prompt parliamentary debate.
