The Advertiser has invited General Election candidates standing to represent Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber to share their views on key topics to the area.

This week, Labour candidate Hamish Maxwell writes about defence.

As a former commissioned officer in the Royal Navy, I know how important defence is, both to the nation and the residents of Argyll, Bute & South Lochaber.

Defence is the first responsibility of any government. It is also vital to the economy of the constituency, with the Royal Navy installations at Faslane and Coulport supporting more than 13,000 high-quality jobs both directly and indirectly.

The base boosts revenue and spending amongst the area’s businesses and enhances the population by bringing families to the area.

Gordon Brown took the decision to safeguard Faslane by making it home to the UK’s entire submarine fleet.

More recently, Keir Starmer confirmed his commitment to the nuclear deterrent, as the “bedrock” of the UK’s defence strategy.

Defence spending will increase to 2.5 per cent of GDP under Labour, who will undertake a full Strategic Defence Review to assess the threats our country faces and the capabilities needed to address them.

That is spending which will benefit defence infrastructure and provide additional employment in Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber.

We already know that the SNP want rid of Trident, without mitigating the impact on our community and the Tories have repeatedly changed their stance on the threat posed by China, while tensions grow.

The next UK Labour government will also strengthen support for our military communities by fully implementing the Armed Forces Covenant.

We recognise the need for collaborative working, that’s why Labour has a plan to establish a long-term partnership with domestic contractors by bringing forward a defence industrial strategy to align security and economic priorities.

Scottish Labour has also pledged to work on securing better access to mental health, employment, and housing support for veterans - often promised but not fully delivered.

The SNP cannot be trusted to maintain our defences and the Conservative government has watched as our military personnel and resources dwindle.

Meantime, Labour has drawn up a plan to strengthen our armed forces and keep our country safe.

Labour is the only party with a coherent strategy for the defence of our nation.