<p><br /> David Cameron has insisted he would not take "risks" with Britain's defences as he sought to dampen fears over the coalition's drastic austerity measures.<br /> </p><p><br /> The Prime Minister said decisions in areas such as military capability were still being taken for the long term rather than to achieve immediate savings.<br /> </p><p><br /> The comments came as the Conservatives kicked off their first conference since regaining power, with the gathering set to be dominated by looming public spending cuts.<br /> </p><p><br /> It emerged last week that Defence Secretary Liam Fox had written privately to Mr Cameron warning that "draconian" reductions being demanded by the Treasury in his department would have "grave consequences".<br /> </p><p><br /> But interviewed on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show, the premier played down the simmering row, saying Cabinet ministers were bound to make "very, very strong representations".<br /> </p><p><br /> "He knows and I know that I am passionately pro-defence, passionately pro our armed forces," Mr Cameron said.<br /> </p><p><br /> "I will not take any risks with Britain's defence. But I want us to have something that the last government did not do - a proper review to make sure we are spending money in a way that protects our country for the future. That is what this is about."<br /> </p>
