Many of us speak based on life's experience, knowledge and background and we bring our ideas to these debates but there has been much loose talk and scare-mongering about the so-called militarisation of Europe. Only 2% of Europe's national income goes on defence. This is the lowest ever level and half that of the final years of the Cold War just 15 years ago. The truth is that Europe is demilitarising, defence budgets are being cut, barracks closed and armies slimmed down almost everywhere.