Britain has enough ammunition to fight for eight days. That’s it.

After years of relying on the United States to hold the war stocks we’d need in a major conflict, we now have almost nothing left.

This has been an open secret in defence for years. It lasted because war felt distant. It doesn’t anymore.

These truths are discussed behind closed doors. They can’t stay there. A country can’t defend itself if its people are kept in the dark.

After serving our country from the battlefield to the Cabinet table, I’m drawing back the curtain to set out the reality while there’s still time.

This is too important to be kept secret. It’s too urgent for silence.

This is the second article.