Could the success of the armed forces at the Olympics prompt a rethink on troop cuts?

With the Olympic Games over, the role of the armed forces in securing the event, particularly in filling in for private sector security failures, has been put under close scrutiny.

London Mayor Boris Johnson has praised the performance of forces personnel, saying it will make future military cuts harder to justify. The military "pulled our chestnuts out of the fire" when it came to providing last minute support, Johnson said.

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond, too, has said he is rethinking his attitude to the use of the private sector as a result of the G4S security problems.

The officer responsible for planning the military contribution to Olympic security has said that cutting the military too far would make the UK less resistant to a "national strategic shock".

The number of personnel contributed, 18,200, was said to be 6,000 above what was believed possible, and it will take the forces two years to fully recover from the disruption, Wing Commander Peter Daulby warned.

Could the success of the military security at London 2012 prompt a rethink on troop cuts?

Poll result:

Poll Result: Yes 45%, No 55%

Yes 45%
No 55%

HAVE YOUR SAY

Not just cuts to the Army but tri-service should be re-considered, yes the Army did provide a lot of manpower for the Olympics, but you look at the commitments made by the Royal Navy and RAF as well.

HMS Bulwark sat off Portland / Weymouth providing essential security, however the crisis in Syria is getting worse and the UK Maritime Reaction Force or whatever it is going to be called is still sat in UK waters.
Rob - Telford

There will be no extra money for defence, in fact the situation is likely to get worse rather than better. Rethinking the troop reductions will only result in additional cuts elsewhere. Better to stick with the original decision.
Murgatroyd - West Yorkshire

Its all about short term gain, nothing whatsoever to do with UK defence, things wont change until it all hits the fan.
Then we can turn round and say "We told you so", assuming of course, there's enough of us left to do so.
Tim Dainton - Romsey

I voted yes to the question, but more out of hopes than actual belief in this possibility.
There are several things that would need a rethink, even keeping valid the most of the SDSR work (unthinkable to reverse it all at this stage).
A few adjustements would be enough to improve things greatly, but i suspect that even said little changes will remain hopes...
Gabriele - Piacenza, Italy

Because the government expect the military to perform and succeed, no matter what tasks they are given.
Peter Hall - Worksop

Murgatroyd

Plenty for people who can't be bothered to work as most of it is "beneath" them.

Or for those who smoke, drink and eat to exccess meaning I have to pay to keep them alive when a little discipline would have done that.

Spending in the UK is well off. We are all about someone else paying for the cure because we are too lazy as a population to spend on the preventation.... Which is a shame because you only need to look at team GB to see what we can do as a nation when we really try hard.
Anthony - Bristol, United Kingdom

"Could the success of the military security at London 2012 prompt a rethink on troop cuts?"

Not unless someone can persuade the treasury to rethink the budget cuts.

Every. Last. Penny. of those cuts!
jedibeeftrix - jedibeefland