Risk-first procurement and accountability

A country's permanent risks should be established before judging the threats that may intensify them. For Britain, sea lines of communication and the movement of goods belong in the enduring-risk category. Elected ministers ultimately authorize procurement and funding, so blaming the MOD or Treasury does not transfer responsibility for those choices. One proposed remedy gives the Defence Select Committee responsibility for a cross-party assessment of Britain's needs, potentially with input from the Foreign Affairs Committee. Parliament would approve the resulting procurement plan, and the government would implement it while retaining control over operational use. Changing the plan would require another parliamentary decision, making those who approve the change responsible for it.