Conservative candidate Sean Houlston has backed the Conservative Party’s call for Labour to cut welfare spending and put more money into Britain’s defence.
The Conservatives used an Opposition Day Debate in Parliament today, Tuesday 23 June 2026, to force a vote calling on the Government to make welfare savings and use the money to strengthen Britain’s Armed Forces. Labour MPs blocked the motion.
Sean Houlston said the Government must stop avoiding difficult choices at a time when Britain faces serious threats overseas and growing pressure on the public finances at home.
Britain faces a dangerous international situation, with war in Ukraine, conflict in Iran and growing uncertainty across the world. Strong defence is not optional. It is the first duty of government and the foundation of national security, economic confidence and Britain’s ability to stand with its allies.
There is now a clear concern that Britain’s Armed Forces are not being given the resources they need. Labour’s own senior defence figures have made that point publicly. Former Defence Secretary John Healey and former Armed Forces Minister Al Carns both resigned from the Government after warning that Labour’s Defence Investment Plan was not properly funded.
At the same time, welfare spending continues to rise. Across Congleton, 1,100 people now claim welfare, an increase of 110 since June 2024. These figures are not sustainable.
Sean Houlston said:
“People locally are rightly worried about the threats Britain faces. They can see the world becoming more dangerous, and they expect the Government to take defence seriously.
“But Labour cannot keep pretending that every area of spending can rise forever. Welfare spending has grown too far, too fast, while our Armed Forces are being asked to do more with too little.
“The Government needs to make a clear choice. We should cut unsustainable welfare spending and use that money to strengthen Britain’s defence.
“This is about priorities. The first duty of government is to keep the country safe, and Labour is failing that test.
“Conservative MPs gave Labour the chance to do the right thing today. Labour chose to block it. That tells people everything they need to know.”
The Conservatives have set out steps to increase defence spending towards 3 per cent of GDP this Parliament, including reinstating the two-child benefit cap and using billions from Net Zero spending to create a Sovereign Defence Fund.
