Quote Gordon Brown

[beerdrinker]

Our illustrious Prime Minister is quoted as once saying words along the lines of "Money spent on Defence is money wasted".

I have tried Googling but cannot find the quote. Does anybody know when, where and if he actually said it.

[tucumseh]

I believe the quote you seek is "the MoD is a metropolis of waste". It's been reported a number of times - Max Hastings likes using it.

To my knowledge he doesn't say the MoD is a waste of money, only that they waste money.

In saying this he is, of course, absolutely right. What this simple truth doesn't convey however, is the sheer scale of the waste. The difference now is that he is PM, and supposedly has the muscle to do something about it. He should start by sacking those who knowingly waste money and who lend support to those who order waste. It would also be nice if were to retrospectively strike from the record the disciplinary action taken against those who (a) reported waste, and (b) disobeyed orders to knowingly waste money. But I guess that's asking too much.

[Pontius Navigator]

What he has just said is he has nothing but admiration for the soldiers. Remember he has NOTHING for then but . . .

[Tigs2]

Pontius

he has just said is he has nothing but admiration for the soldiers

EXACTLY!

I would love to see Paxman tell him " well PM, perhaps you should not offer the soldiers your admiration, and offer them something more useful instead, like the right equipment, the right health care and the right rehabilitation facilities"!

[Magnersdrinker]

Yeah i think the quote was along the lines of "every pound spent on defence is a pound wasted"

I wish somebody could pull that up in parliment now !!!

I really hope next election its the troops that put him and labour out of power.

[Beeayeate]

I really hope next election its the troops that put him and labour out of power.
Do you really think that the current gvmt's fondness for fiddling with the way ballots are undertaken will even allow the troops a vote?

I seem to recall that a few years ago a previous instance of thousands of votes from troops in theater being rejected or lost or discounted or similar.

:hmm:

[Tigs2]

During elections I seem to remember that if you were in the forces, you could choose to register where you wished your postal vote to go. Is this true or am I dreaming? If so why doesn't every serviceman choose to vote in Gordon Browns constituancy? I think 180 000 votes could make a difference!

[F34NZ]

Now that would be beautiful Tigs. Not just the sight of the miserable git's face on election night; not just the election of someone decent in his place (much good though it'd do with another 600-odd hypocritical dimwits in the House)..but imagine the rising panic at Millbank as the days count down to the poll. The revolting, smug little apparatchiks who lie and smear for him would be hanging themselves from the light fittings.

His last resort would be a quick tour of the all the hot and nasty places (and the FIs, no doubt, to register the sheep as Labour voters) promising any and everything just to keep himself out of the real world.

Now back to the real world for a lie down....

[Pontius Navigator]

During elections I seem to remember that if you were in the forces, you could choose to register where you wished your postal vote to go. Is this true or am I dreaming? If so why doesn't every serviceman choose to vote in Gordon Browns constituancy? I think 180 000 votes could make a difference!

Tigs, it is true, to a point.

You need to have been resident and registered in the constituency and then remain registered there.

For instance a young squaddie could register at home. Someone based at ISK could register there and leave their vote when they move etc.

To do Broon you would need to be resident and register at the critical time.

I wonder how they spot that you register anew at a new home. I guess they will have a huge comprehensive computer system with rapid data matching using say, name, DOB, NI Number and perhaps banking details. :}

[Big Sy]

I seem to remember it as : "a penny spent on defence is a penny wasted." :ugh:

[Pontius Navigator]

Pontius
EXACTLY!
I would love to see Paxman tell him " well PM, perhaps you should not offer the soldiers your admiration, and offer them something more useful instead, like the right equipment, the right health care and the right rehabilitation facilities"!

Now you would not be Michael Duhig of Bishop's Stortford? (Sunday Telegraph letters p 29)

[Tigs2]

No, that sounds like a made up name, but i will ook in the Torygraph later:ok: Of course Mr Duhig could have read my post before writing to said newspaper.

[Pontius Navigator]

Tigs <g>, I knew a Martin D, a supplier.

[Tigs2]

Not me mate!

Why is Alistair Darling taking all the s**t when he is mearly the puppet for GB's legacy?? Why is the Prime Minister not being held to account?

[makintw]

Heard this mentioned on R2 Sarah Kennedy (don't ask) this morning during her review of the papers.

Lady writing to Telegraph letters, 26th Nov.


Sir - Gordon Brown says: "I've got nothing but praise for our Armed Forces."
Precisely.
Jean Humphreys, Oxted, Surrey


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?menuId=1588&menuItemId=-1&view=DISPLAYCONTENT&grid=A1&targetRule=0#head5

[Scribbly dee]

From what I can see it doesn't take much to scare Brown anyway. Give him a good shouting at and he will be on the back foot.:{ Loved watching him shaking at PMs questions a few weeks ago:p. I also noticed he is not having much luck with that bubble gum he has stuck in his teeth still cant seem to get it out....!!

[Pontius Navigator]

An improvement over the nasal job?