Tory rebellion brewing over MoD plans to merge elite forces Tory MPs have vowed to stop Ministry of Defence plans to combine elite units of paratroopers and Royal Marines as […]

Tory MPs have vowed to stop Ministry of Defence plans to combine elite units of paratroopers and Royal Marines as part of major cuts to the military.

Reports emerged today of plans to strip back the strength of the armed forces by cutting more than 14,000 troops.

Another proposal includes cutting the army by 11,000 soldiers and losing 2,000 Royal Marines and sailors and 1,250 airmen.

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Backbench rebellion

But the most controversial option being considered is to create a combined force comprising 3 Commando Brigade, which is predominately made up of Royal Marines, and 16 Air Assault Brigade, which includes the 2nd and 3rd battalions of the Parachute Regiment.

The plans provoked outrage among backbench Tories, who have pledged to oppose any cuts that are put forward in a wide-ranging review of Britain’s security capability.

Former army officer and Tory chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee Tom Tugenhadt warned: “The Royal Marines and paratroop regiments have unique capabilities. Merging them would diminish both and would diminish any idea of a creating a more global Britain, which the Government is rightly striving for.”

Another officer and Tory backbencher Johnny Mercer has submitted an urgent question to House of Commons to demand answers from ministers.

This morning I have submitted an Urgent Question for Monday morning on the @haynesdeborah story re defence mergers and cuts in this morning's @thetimes https://t.co/an4fn1KmWK — Johnny Mercer (@JohnnyMercerUK) January 12, 2018

While army Captain and Conservative MP for Aldershot Leo Docherty tweeted his reaction to the news: “If true, this must be stopped. I will fight any cuts to our military.”

If true, this must be stopped. I will fight any cuts to our military. https://t.co/HCEAMBntjW — Leo Docherty MP (@LeoDochertyUK) January 12, 2018

A strategic defence and security review was announced last year looking at all aspects of the UK’s security capability, including defence.

It has led to growing speculation among Tory backbenchers about possible cuts amid major pressure on the defence budget.

Sheer folly

On Thursday, Conservative former defence minister Mark Francois voiced concerns over morale across the armed forces, adding he was alarmed by reports which suggested that at one stage the Treasury floated a reduction in the regular army from 82,500 to as low as 50,000.

Speaking before the details of potential cuts emerged in The Times, Mr Francois warned: “Reducing the army in this way would send entirely the wrong signals to the Russians about our commitments to Nato and willingness to uphold the territorial integrity of our allies.

“It would be sheer folly.”

An MoD spokesman said: “A whole range of options have been discussed as part of the cross-government review on how to best protect our country. No decisions have been taken and any talk of an outcome is pure speculation.”