Labour has rebutted criticism of its defence approach, pointing out that under the Tories the Army has shrunk to its smallest size since the Napoleonic era. 

Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, has also said he would press the nuclear button in office if needed, and insisted his shadow cabinet supports his pro-Trident stance.

Lord Cameron wrote: “In this time of danger and insecurity, Rishi Sunak and I are clear that we need to adopt a harder edge for a tougher world. Britain must use its agency, with our allies, to make a difference and support the open international order upon which we all depend.”

Conservatives will stand up for Britons living abroad
 

We are living in a more dangerous, volatile world. Our adversaries openly challenge the values we cherish. Freedom, sovereignty, the rule of law – and, of course, the open international order upon which so much depends, writes David Cameron.

That matters to the British people, wherever they live in the world. Because the whole world benefits when freedoms are upheld, sovereignty is respected and trade flows freely.

There are around five million British citizens overseas. They fly the flag for our country around the world. Nearly all of them retain strong ties to the UK, with family links or the intention to return.

Decisions taken here in the UK on global issues, defence and trade matter to Britons regardless of where they live. But the last Labour government curtailed the voting rights of British citizens overseas. They imposed an arbitrary rule that meant British citizens overseas could no longer vote in UK general elections after 15 years abroad.

Conservatives pledged to scrap this Labour rule in our last manifesto, and we’ve delivered it. And under the next Conservative government, a Foreign Office minister will be responsible for championing the interests of British citizens overseas. They will ensure the interests of British citizens abroad are represented across government.