The Madness of Richard Shirreff
Europe and the UK Must Not March Into War
Retired British General Richard Shirreff has unleashed a dangerous fantasy in his latest column, calling for Britain and Europe to prepare for full-scale mobilization against Russia. His argument, rooted in fearmongering and nostalgia for a bygone era of British military dominance, suggests conscription, economic militarization, and a massive financial commitment to Ukraine. It is sheer madness.
The Delusional Call for War
Shirreff’s piece, published in the Daily Mail, is a masterclass in reckless thinking. He argues that because of Trump’s wavering stance on NATO, Britain must take charge of European defense. His plan? Increase military spending dramatically, form a European coalition of the “willing,” send tens of thousands of British troops to Ukraine, and prepare for conscription. In his mind, the UK should commit nearly half of its standing ground forces to this fight and mobilize reserves in case Russia retaliates.
This is a stunningly irresponsible proposal. Britain’s military is at its weakest in 200 years, and the idea that it could suddenly pivot to lead an all-out confrontation with Russia is laughable. It is unclear whether Shirreff understands the scale of what he is proposing or if he simply enjoys the sound of his own war drums.
The Economic Suicide of Shirreff’s Plan
Perhaps the most ludicrous part of his argument is the demand for European NATO members to contribute 0.25% of their GDP to a so-called “Ukrainian defense fund” for four years, raising €150 billion. If some nations refuse, Shirreff suggests that Britain should form its own separate alliance with Northern European states.
Where exactly is this money supposed to come from? The UK is already struggling with economic woes, rising inflation, and declining public services. Suggesting that the economy be put on a war footing to fund an unwinnable confrontation with a nuclear-armed Russia is not just reckless—it is suicidal. The British public has no appetite for war, let alone footing the bill for a European defense project that will only serve to prolong suffering in Ukraine.
A Political Disaster in the Making
The political implications of Shirreff’s fantasyland strategy are equally disastrous. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, already the most unpopular British leader in 40 years, would face immediate backlash if he even entertained such an idea. Calling up reservists and reinstating conscription in a country that has long abandoned it would be met with widespread resistance. The people of Britain are not interested in sacrificing their sons and daughters for a conflict that their government should be de-escalating, not inflaming.
One need only look at the most popular response to Shirreff’s article to understand public sentiment: “Who is ready to fight for today’s Britain? Even if you survive, in 10 years you’ll be dragged into court on war crime charges.” If this is how Shirreff’s plan is received by the general public, one can only imagine the political carnage it would unleash in Parliament.
A Path to Disaster, Not Victory
The reality is that Britain does not have the manpower, the economic strength, or the political will to take on Russia. Nor should it. The Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), which Shirreff sees as a key tool in his scheme, consists of just 10,000 troops across ten countries. Finland, with a reserve of 870,000, is the only member that could even attempt large-scale mobilization, but doing so would risk severe Russian retaliation. The suggestion that this ragtag coalition could pressure Russia into a ceasefire is laughable. If anything, it would escalate the war.
Shirreff is playing war games with other people’s lives. His ideas are not based in reality but in a fever dream of military glory. There is no scenario in which Britain and a handful of European states emerge victorious from a direct conflict with Russia. What is far more likely is a prolonged, bloody, and economically devastating quagmire that leaves the UK weaker than ever.
The Madness Must Stop
The West’s focus should be on de-escalation, not on reckless military adventurism. If Shirreff truly cared about Ukraine, he would push for diplomatic solutions, not throw Europe headfirst into an unwinnable war. His proposals are detached from the political, economic, and military realities of the present day.
Britain must resist this insanity. The last thing the world needs is another deluded military strategist pushing for war at the expense of ordinary people. Shirreff’s dream of reviving Britain’s role as Europe’s military leader is not just outdated, it is dangerous. The UK should focus on its own economic recovery, not on plunging into another endless conflict.