Defence and Security Forum
Defence and Security Issues Discussed in the 21st Century
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The DSF's Co-founder, Lady Olga Maitland
 Welcome to The Defence and Security Forum

The Defence and Security Forum was founded by Lady Olga Maitland in 1983. It was originally a campaigning organisation known as Families for Defence launched to challenge the anti-nuclear protest movements such as CND. Families for Defence’s remit was to promote the NATO case for multilateral nuclear disarmament. In the course of doing so the purpose was to focus on the importance of a proper provision for the defence of the United Kingdom.

Major General Patrick Cordingley, our Chairman Our Keynote Topics
  • International Relations
  • Economics
  • Politics
  • Defence and Security
Defence and Security Forum's Committee -  Lord Mayhew Honourable Patrons
Delegates discuss the issues.
Major General Patrick Cordingley, our illustrious chairman


Lord Mayhew of Twysden, QC, has had a highly Parliamentary distinguished career. He was appointed by Prime Minister John Major to become Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in 1992 which he held until 1997.

Before that Lord Mayhew had been appointed by the then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to be Attorney General, an office he held from 1987 to 1992.

His earlier ministerial appointments  included being Solicitor General from 1983 to 1987, Minister of State at the Home Office 1981-1983 and Under Secretary of State at the Department of Employment 1979 to 1981.

Lord Mayhew who  was educated at Tonbridge, then Balliol College, Oxford did his National Service with the 4th/7th Dragoon Guards before being called to the Bar in the Middle Temple in 1955. He became a Queen’s Counsel in 1972.    

He first stood for Parliament as a Conservative candidate in Camberwell-Dulwich in 1970 before being elected to the House of Commons for Tunbridge Wells in 1974 where he remained until his retirement in 1997.   

Lord Mayhew was knighted  in 1983 and elevated to the House of Lords in 1997.


Rt.Hon. Lord Mayhew of Twysden, Vice President 

Major General Patrick Cordingley,  Chairman (Biography)

Colonel Philip Howes, OBE, Treasurer and Trustee (Biography)

You may read the biography of the individual where 'Biography' appears. You may do this by simply clicking upon it.

Defence and Security Forum provides a permanent reminder to politicians, media and the public of the need to produce sufficient resources to ensure the defence and security of this country.

This is achieved in the first instance by debating current issues on television, radio, in the press, in university lectures and debates, conferences etc.

Defence and Security Forum organises public campaigns on major issues of the day as they did in the months leading up to the Gulf War seeking public support for the liberation of Kuwait.

The DSF has had the great privelege of granting honourable patronage to a small number of distinguished people over the years.  These people are:
  • Rt. Hon Lord Nazir Ahmed of Rotherham
  • Baroness Cox
  • Sir Ranulph Fiennes Bt
  • General Sir Michael Gow GCB
  • Rt Hon. The Earl of Lauderdale
  • Rt. Hon. Lord Lamont of Lerwick
  • Sir Alfred Sherman
  • Professor Norman Stone
  • Rt. Hon. Sir John Wheeler, JP, DL


A DSF speaker. Lady Olga Maitland talking to delegates. A DSF speaker
Delegates enjoying the debate. Lady Olga Maitland chatting to a delegate. Cordingley




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