United Kingdom National Defence Association

The UKNDA was founded in 2005 "to campaign for sufficient, appropriate and fully funded Armed Forces that the United Kingdom needs to defend effectively this Country, its people, their vital interests and security at home and throughout the world."

History

The idea of a 'UKNDA' first arose in August 2005 from discussions within the ‘e’ Forum of the Naval Review (NR) – the "Wardroom Bar". Many people had long and increasingly been concerned at the accelerating shrinkage of the Royal Navy in particular and the Armed Forces in General. The topic "Who’s Going to Save our Navy" was raised for discussion, out of which was developed a paper "The Navy the Nation Needs". This paper, comprehensively revised, was published finally under the title of "Below the Bottom Line". That paper identified a need for a new, independent, TRI-SERVICE organisation – a UK National Defence Association (UKNDA).

The UKNDA, its raison d’etre, purpose and management organisation is described in detail in the UK NDA Founding Document which has been circulated, discussed and frequently amended for over a year. The final draft of this document was agreed and approved by the UKNDA’s Steering Group (Now the UKNDA Policy and Management Board).

In June 2007 the UKNDA became a legal entity registered as 'UKNDA Limited' - a Company Limited by Guarantee (reg. no: 6254639).

Former defence chiefs attack Gordon Brown

"In the House of Lords yesterday, five former chiefs of the defence staff lined up to condemn what they claimed were in effect budget cuts on the military, some of them also attacking Gordon Brown individually for a perceived lack of interest in the armed forces.

The prime minister also entered the fray today, insisting he had "enormous respect" for the armed forces, who were financed and equipped adequately, he said.

This morning, the defence chief at the time of the 2003 Iraq invasion, Admiral Lord Boyce, said Gordon Brown had treated troops "with contempt" by making Browne combine his defence portfolio with the job of Scottish secretary."