NORTH Wiltshire MP James Gray has called for an increase in defence spending and cautioned the government against pushing for major cuts to Britain’s military.

The Conservative Member of Parliament has warned the Prime Minister that he and his colleagues would join Labour MPs in not supporting the government if it pursues cuts to the Royal Marines.

The government is looking at ways to cut the defence budget, with fears HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark could be scrapped along with 1,000 Royal Marines.

Speaking in Parliament last week, Mr Gray said: “If we do not find a way of increasing our defence spending towards the three per cent that many of us in the Chamber want, I fear that we will not be doing our duty.

“We will not be doing what our people send us here to do, and we will not be putting in place the correct way to defend our nation.”

Mr Gray joined Mark Francois, Conservative former defence minister, in voicing concerns during the Commons debate, with a backbench motion asking for expenditure to be maintained at current levels.

Speaking to the Standard, Mr Gray said: “My purpose is to bring pressure to bear on the Treasury and Prime Minister so that she does not bring those cuts forward. I’m not sure the government will do it, but if they do come forward andc ut HMS Bulwark, HMS Albion and 1,000 royal marines I would not support it.

“The review that has currently been happening is on defence and cyber security.

“My argument is, let’s not have the review now have it at the next spending review.

“By delaying to the next budget, you would potentially have more money for cyber security but also preserve existing spending on the marines.”

Mark Francois also voiced concerns over morale across the armed forces, calling further cuts to the Army ‘ludicrous’.