I read with dismay in today's Daily Telegraph that another round of defence spending cuts is expected in 2015/16. The reduction in our armed services has already crossed the red line and to even think of cutting them further is nothing short of madness. As instability around the world grows, we might well have to call on every one of our men and women in uniform much sooner than we think. The Defence Secretary, Philip Hammond, must stand his ground against a reluctance by the Liberal Democrats to slash the welfare budget further and a Prime Minister intent on claiming the moral high ground by donating billions of pounds to the Third World. The former is political cowardice and the latter misguided. What poorer countries need is expertise, advice and practical help, not cash which rarely gets to where it's needed. With tough economic times predicted to continue, it's even more important to protect the defence budget and, if any should be ringfenced, it is this one.