THE Romans called it ‘mos maiorum’, an unwritten rule or code of behaviour, an ancestral custom which was followed automatically and unquestioningly.

Tom Stevenson, who writes on defence matters, says England has a mos maiorum when it comes to military matters.

It boils down to being militaristic, unthinkingly involved in war, taking a lead role if possible, spending big. They can’t resist it.

Starmer was at it again last week in Munich. Britain would be “at the centre” of European defence. Really?

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He announced he would send Britain’s carrier strike force to the Arctic and “high north”. Presumably that’s if the aircraft carrier’s propellor shaft doesn’t fail again.

Back from Munich, he hinted that he may accelerate defence spending. There were suggestions it might reach 3% of GDP by 2029, instead of the planned 2.5%, though the odds are he won’t be around then.

The cost of that is variously estimated at £14-17 billion extra. No indication of where the money might come from.

Stevenson points out that calls to re-arm are part of the perennial struggle between generals, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Treasury.

The military men always want more money for fancier equipment, more personnel, and,........

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