The Krisana

As a centrist and a Lib Dem supporter. You can say I am a little biased. But I agreed with Ed Davey’s recent comment that the UK should develop its own missile. Instead of relying on the US. In a good way, this would boost the British science, engineering, and defence industries of our country. Developing our own defence capabilities would not only boost the British economy but also increase the value and importance of the UK on the global stage.

You could say I am a bit of a hypocrite because I am generally anti-war. That is true. However, I am strongly pro-defence. I believe we should avoid war and avoid interfering in other countries unless it is truly about protecting human rights, fairness, and justice.

At the same time, it increasingly feels like some nations believe they can push the UK around because we try to balance peace with military strength. Strengthening our own defence would help ensure that Britain is respected without needing to pursue aggressive foreign policy.

I also don’t want to blame the United States as a whole. In fairness, the US is politically divided, just like many countries around the world. Because of that, it is possible for voters to elect leaders who may not always align with global expectations or long-term international stability. This uncertainty is one of the reasons some people believe the UK should reduce its reliance on American defence systems.

Of course, building our own capabilities would cost billions of pounds over the next two decades. But the unpredictability of alliances has made many countries rethink their military strategy. Even our neighbours are increasing defence spending.

France has already strengthened its military posture. Germany, which traditionally prioritised economic output over military power, has recently increased defence spending as well. This shift is not only due to uncertainty about the US, but also because of security concerns from the East, particularly Russia.

The world is moving towards what I would describe as a multi-polar stand-off. During the Cold War, global power was dominated by the US and the Soviet Union. Today the situation is far more complex. It is no longer simply the US versus China either. Instead, multiple countries and regions are trying to assert their influence on the global stage. In the future, India will likely become an even more important player in this balance of power.

The Middle East also remains uncertain. The region may not reach the same level of global power as the US, China, or India, but it still plays a major strategic role in global stability and energy supply.

Another major change in modern geopolitics is information and public opinion. In the past, mainstream media had much stronger control over global narratives. Today, social media allows individuals to shape discussions themselves. People can share opinions, challenge official narratives, and spread both truth and misinformation rapidly online.

Politically, Ed Davey appears to admire the leadership style of Emmanuel Macron, particularly his centrist approach. Macron succeeded in France by positioning himself between the traditional left and right when voters had lost trust in both.

The UK may be approaching a similar moment. Many voters are dissatisfied with both the Labour Party (UK) and the Conservative Party (UK). However, it is difficult to predict whether the Liberal Democrats (UK) could rise in the same way Macron did in France. There is also a growing right-wing movement across Europe, and parties like Reform UK could attract voters who want a more radical shift.

Even if the Liberal Democrats eventually lead the government, it would not necessarily make everyone happy. In democracies, it is impossible to satisfy every group. France under Macron is a good example: he won two elections but still faced protests and declining popularity during his presidency.

Ultimately, leadership often requires making difficult decisions for the long-term stability of the country, even when those decisions are unpopular.

For now, I believe Britain should take a balanced approach. We should invest more in our own national capabilities and strengthen our economy and defence. However, we should not cut ties with our allies, especially the United States.

Instead, Britain should continue building relationships with as many countries as possible — including major global powers like China — while maintaining strong alliances with democratic partners. In the long run, diplomacy and cooperation will remain just as important as military strength.