The Conservative party is returning to defence and security for another election pitch and has unveiled a series of measures to support armed forces veterans. The proposals include a Veterans’ Bill enshrining rights, cheaper railcards for former service personnel and tax allowances for those who employ them. Taken with a plan to introduce a form of national service and Labour’s performative commitment to renewing the UK’s independent nuclear deterrent, it is making the election campaign more defence focused than anything we have seen since the 1980s.