Bracknell Politicians Clash Over Defence Spending

Two prominent Bracknell politicians on the right clashed at Crowthorne Carnival over what Britain's armed forces need to face a possible conflict with Russia. Former MP and ex‑army colonel James Sunderland (Conservative) met Reform's campaign manager John Edwards.

They smiled for the crowd but disagreed sharply about the state of the services. Edwards accused the Tories of gutting the forces and cutting investment to historic lows. "The Conservatives lowered our armed forces to the lowest levels they've been since Napoleonic times."

Sunderland argued defence is threat‑driven: after a long period of lower spending following Afghanistan, Britain upped spending once Putin invaded Ukraine and must go beyond the current 2.3% to close capability gaps. He said the defence investment plan under Labour helps but doesn't go far enough.

Edwards said he believes in "peace through strength" and blamed shrinking forces for a more unstable world. Sunderland pointed to his 26 years in the army and rejected Reform's line that the Conservatives have totally failed on defence.

Afterwards Sunderland said some Reform members in Bracknell could return to the Conservatives, and warned of the political cost of division: "As long as the right is split, the right will continue to undermine itself."

Ted O'Neill, Local Democracy Reporter