The Army know how to modernise, but they need more funding (now) to do it, and we need to tell a national story about the high technology, secure, ethical work available in a growing defence industry.

But the fact remains we are sending our people out to Estonia to man the Russia border without the full suite required to fight and survive in contemporary warfare. And we know it.

One thing Gen Roly was clear on is how crucial the ever closer relationship between fighting force and defence industry becomes if we are to achieve his vision. Thank you to all the companies who have been supporting the Army.

And the same goes for the leadership from top to bottom. Gen Roly Walker, chief of the Army, briefed us his relentless focus on leveraging tech to increase lethality and survivability.

From FPV drones that kill tanks, to electro-magnetic warfare devices - they’re not waiting around for the system to put the right kit in their hands: they are getting after it themselves.

The ingenuity of our soldiers amazes me. They know they will be deploying for 6 months just 100km west of the Russia border & want to be ready.

With little direction, many have taken it upon themselves to buy tech online & tinker with it to produce contemporary capability.

This was part of a remarkable Defence Committee visit to British Army HQ.

Briefed in Andover by Gen Roly Walker and his team, then out to see the Forward Land Force, part of 1 Div, on their final exercise before they go out to Estonia to take up the job of deterring Putin.

(19/19) I am absolutely determined to continue to fight for better health outcomes for people in Plymouth, and whilst I am over the moon about last week’s news at Derriford, this victory only makes me even more determined to go on and get more for our city and its people.

(18/19) This win will make an enormous difference for staff and patients, but I know it is not the final piece of the puzzle. We still need improvements in healthcare settings right across the city, at Derriford, at GP surgeries and in dentistry.

(17/19) This will house an Urgent Treatment Centre, not to be confused with the new A&E which will be party of the main hospital building. I am deeply impressed by hospital staff at every level.

(16/19) The team at Derriford have almost completed the new Dartmoor Building which has sprung up overlooking Derriford Roundabout.

(15/19) This is incredibly exciting news for Plymouth, and as a city we should feel incredibly proud that we have secured such immense investment into our hospital.

(14/19) And now here we are, at the start of 2025, with confirmation from the Health Secretary that the new A&E will be built, and that the work will start within the next 12 months.

(13/19) He met staff, heard first-hand about the many challenges they face, and was told what a new A&E Department would mean to them and folk across Plymouth.

(12/19) It was then that I knew the most compelling way to make our case to the Health Secretary would be for him to visit himself and meet some of the incredible staff. So, I invited him and over Christmas he made a quiet, low-key visit to Derriford Hospital.

(11/19) At the start of December I was invited to join staff on a night shift at Derriford, and given the opportunity to see the amazing work that they do under such difficult circumstances. I saw heroics that night, but I know that it is simply what happens there every day.