New British defence minister Penny Mordaunt should focus on home front and not South China Sea
- The appointment of Penny Mordaunt following the sacking of her sabre-rattling predecessor appears sound, and she should steer clear of matters involving the South China Sea
The departure of British government ministers has become a familiar occurrence amid wrangling over Brexit and other controversies. But the sacking of defence secretary Gavin Williamson last week attracted worldwide attention. Williamson was fired by Prime Minister Theresa May for allegedly leaking sensitive information about the British government’s policy on Huawei to the media.
He was alleged to have revealed that the Chinese tech giant would be given a limited role in the development of the country’s 5G network. Williamson strenuously denied responsibility. The move came as May struggles to keep control of an ill-disciplined, divided and leak-prone cabinet.
Williamson’s departure is not likely to be lamented in China. He had led calls for Britain to play a bigger military role in the world after it leaves the European Union. He pledged to send the country’s new aircraft carrier to the Pacific on its maiden voyage and to establish permanent naval bases in Southeast Asia.
All this was in the context of China’s growing power. The minister’s provocative remarks led Beijing to accuse Britain of returning to a cold war mentality.
Whether his departure will lead to a change of policy and less sabre-rattling rhetoric remains to be seen. But the decision to appoint Penny Mordaunt as Britain’s first female defence secretary appears sound. She had been widely tipped to get the job when Williamson was appointed two years ago.
Mordaunt comes from a military family. Her father was a paratrooper and she is a Royal Navy reservist. She has, in the past, served as minster for the armed forces. In her last role, as international development secretary, Mordaunt described China as a key partner for Britain.
The idea of Britain playing a more active military role in Asia, especially in the South China Sea, will play well with the US. But such a move would be destabilising for the region. It also directly conflicts with the country’s efforts to strike a trade deal with China, which is surely more important as Brexit approaches.
Mordaunt is seen as a contender to replace May, so she may not be defence secretary for long. Her priority should be to concern herself with matters closer to home, such as the defence budget and the future of Nato after Brexit, rather than making ill-advised interventions in the South China Sea.
