Defence Secretary (United Kingdom)

Defence Secretary (United Kingdom)
Post	Secretary of State for Defence
Incumbent	Grant Shapps
Incumbent since	31 August 2023
Department	Ministry of Defence
Style	The Right Honourable
Reports to	Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Seat	Whitehall
Appointer	Monarch of the United Kingdom on advice of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Inaugural	Tony Crosland
Formation	1964

Defence Secretary (United Kingdom) is a senior cabinet minister responsible for the Ministry of Defence, oversight of the British Armed Forces, and the United Kingdom's defence policy and strategy. The holder chairs cabinet-level discussions on defence, represents the UK at international fora such as North Atlantic Treaty Organization meetings and bilateral talks with states like the United States, France, and Germany, and liaises with institutions including the United Nations and the European Union on security matters.

Role and responsibilities

The secretary leads the Ministry of Defence and is accountable to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and the Parliament of the United Kingdom for matters including strategic defence reviews, force structure, procurement, nuclear deterrent stewardship tied to Trident, and deployment decisions affecting the British Army, Royal Navy, and Royal Air Force. The office oversees relationships with allied defence bodies such as NATO Military Committee, coordinates with the Permanent Joint Headquarters, and directs policy relevant to domestic resilience involving agencies like the Home Office when defence support is required. Responsibilities include approving major equipment projects purchased from suppliers like BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, and Lockheed Martin, and engaging with parliamentary select committees including the Defence Select Committee. The secretary also interacts with crown institutions such as the Monarch of the United Kingdom regarding ceremonial aspects linked to formations like the Household Division.

History and evolution

The post traces origins to the 1964 creation of the modern Ministry of Defence, replacing earlier ministries including the War Office, the Admiralty, and the Air Ministry. Early holders navigated Cold War crises involving the Suez Crisis, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and NATO commitments in the Berlin Crisis. Later tenures were shaped by operations in Falklands War, interventions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, campaigns in Iraq War and Afghanistan, and strategic reviews after events like the End of the Cold War and the Strategic Defence and Security Review 2010. The evolution included expanding civilian oversight, procurement reform following controversies such as the Arms-to-Iraq affair and the Iraq Inquiry, and adaptation to new domains exemplified by engagement with cybersecurity actors, coordination with entities like GCHQ, and responses to threats discussed at Quad-style security dialogues.

Appointment and tenure

The secretary is appointed by the Monarch of the United Kingdom on the advice of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and is typically a member of the Cabinet of the United Kingdom. Tenure varies with political cycles such as general elections governed by the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 (since repealed) and reshuffles following events involving figures like Boris Johnson, Theresa May, David Cameron, and Gordon Brown. The role has been held by politicians from the Conservative Party and the Labour Party, with notable appointees including Michael Fallon, Andrew Smith, and Des Browne. Secretaries have resigned over controversies including procurement scandals and disputes linked to operations in places like Helmand Province and Basra, and some have been elevated to peerages in the House of Lords such as Lord Hutton-style appointments.

Relations with Armed Forces and MOD

The secretary works closely with military leadership including the Chief of the Defence Staff, the Chief of the General Staff, the First Sea Lord, and the Chief of the Air Staff to set operational priorities and capability development. Coordination occurs with establishments like Aldershot Garrison, HMNB Portsmouth, RAF Lossiemouth, and training institutions such as the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and the Joint Services Command and Staff College. The post interacts with defence suppliers and research centres including Defence Science and Technology Laboratory and international partners via mechanisms such as the Five Eyes intelligence partnership. Parliamentary accountability is exercised through oral questions, debates in the House of Commons, and scrutiny by committees and inquiries including investigations into operations like Operation Telic.

Major officeholders and notable tenures

Notable secretaries include Denis Healey, who managed defence policy during the Cold War; George Robertson, who later became NATO Secretary General; Geoff Hoon, involved during the early Iraq War; John Reid, who faced debates over reservist use; Des Browne, who oversaw commitments in Iraq and Afghanistan; and Michael Fallon, whose tenure included defence industrial strategy development. Other figures such as Margaret Beckett and Philip Hammond influenced defence procurement and nuclear policy; Ben Wallace focused on NATO burden-sharing and responses to Russian actions in Ukraine. Secretaries have sometimes transitioned to roles in international organisations like NATO or domestic posts such as Foreign Secretary.

Powers, controversies and criticisms

The office wields significant influence over procurement, capability, and deployment, prompting scrutiny over contracts with firms like BAE Systems and Raytheon Technologies and controversies exemplified by the Arms-to-Iraq affair and cost overruns on programmes including the Astute-class submarine and Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier. Criticisms have addressed transparency in decisions on operations such as Operation Granby, legal advice surrounding interventions examined in the Iraq Inquiry, and challenges in maintaining force readiness after defence cuts following policy documents like the Strategic Defence Review (1998). Debates continue about the balance between parliamentary control and ministerial discretion, the impact of industrial policy on procurement, and strategic alignment with allies such as United States Department of Defense partners and NATO members. High-profile resignations and media coverage in outlets like The Guardian and The Daily Telegraph have underscored political risks associated with the role.

Category:Ministers of the Crown Category:United Kingdom defence ministers