Ex-GR Nav, Wg Cdr (Retd) Paul Smyth, to run for Parliament
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: The Whyte House
Age: 95
Posts: 1,966
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
three main parties
Right now Con/Lab are on around 33/34% apiece.
UKIP are on 15%
LD 8%, Green 5%
From here.
Watch out for Sophie Gardner standing (we stand for parliament, the US run for congress!) in the General Election for Gloucester as a Labour MP.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Anywhere they send me
Age: 54
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you all for your replies. Although I am was aware of Sir Clive I was unaware of Keith Manns and the two current ex-RAF MPs, Jason McCartney and Steve Baker. I guess my ignorance was a result of not seeing either of the two current MPs speak up about the RAF cuts on national media whereas I have seen several MPs, all ex-Army, make quite a noise about Defence cuts to their old Service. Maybe I just missed them.
I just hope those future MPs who have served in the RAF, whichever party they represent, remember their roots and speak up for us as we go into SDSR next year.
T.E.
I just hope those future MPs who have served in the RAF, whichever party they represent, remember their roots and speak up for us as we go into SDSR next year.
T.E.
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: The Sunny Side
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I just hope those future MPs who have served in the RAF, whichever party they represent, remember their roots and speak up for us as we go into SDSR n
S-D
From Sophy Gardner's web-page, I will now add my own suggested spin [in italics]:
I agree with Salad-Dodger's assessment. I would suggest that she appears to be just another incarnate of the current political crop. If only Farage's gang could deliver something more than a gurning, beer supping, nice bloke you'd feel at home with chatting down the pub; then they might get another vote! 
iRaven
PS. It is Flight Ops Officer - maybe she can't remember! https://www.raf.mod.uk/recruitment/r...tions-officer/
I grew up in South London. I joined the Royal Air Force after completing a degree in Geography, becoming an air operations officer [isn't it Flight Ops Officer?]. My first posting was in the South West at RAF Lyneham during which time I also deployed to the Congo.
Subsequently I was posted as the sole RAF officer of the Ship’s Company of HMS Invincible which included a deployment to the Balkans in 2000. I was in charge of all RAF transport and refuelling assets worldwide at the time of 9/11 [Really?] and was subsequently awarded the MBE for my Service during this period, when I also oversaw tasking of UK assets in Afghanistan 2001 [along with many others, I hasten to add!] and the transfer of Milosevic to the Hague [did she personally oversee this or was she just 'there']. I became personal staff officer to Commander UK Forces Iraq 2003, visiting most Arab countries in the region. Subsequently, I worked on US-UK Air Force liaison working with the Pentagon.
Later, I deployed to Helmand province, Afghanistan, to assist the arrival of the UK forces in 2006 and then went on to military staff college where I wrote my thesis on military intervention and the US-UK relationship, following on from an MPhil in European Studies in 1994. I then worked in the MOD in Media and Communications before taking command of operations as a Wing Commander at RAF Valley, Anglesey. During my RAF career, I was promoted at the earliest opportunity at every rank, was the first woman in every job I was posted to [is this something to brag about? I thought we were all equal these days?], and worked hard to ensure that I left the opportunities for those coming up behind me in a better state than when I found them. My best experiences have been working with my teams and colleagues, women and men from all backgrounds and of all ages [likely below 55, I would suggest?]. I am a graduate of the US State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Programme.
Frustrated with military life [that must be a different one that you have just 'crowed' on about then!] and the restrictions that imposed on my political views and ability to participate actively in politics [thems the rules since the English Civil War!], I left the RAF in 2011 and set up my own business working with Service charities [is that supposed to be noble? most people give their time to charities for free!]. I worked as the Event Director and Media Lead for the unveiling of the Bomber Command Memorial in Green Park in 2012 which was a demanding brief working with many stakeholders from all over the world. I now work with a variety of charities and also volunteer at a foodbank.
Since becoming politically ‘free’ I have campaigned actively and continuously for the Labour Party [because like all other 'champagne socialists' the other parties won't have me?], including campaigning during the Bristol Mayoral Election and working with the Shadow Defence team on Forces issues [how's that gone then?]. I was selected on 20th April 2013 to be Labour’s Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Gloucester, 38th on the list of Labour’s target seats.
I’ve moved over 35 times since I left school and so I am very much looking forward to making Gloucester my permanent home [what was wrong with your native South London then?]. I am a member of the Cooperative Party and of Unite [sucking up those lovely Union votes, thank you], and an active supporter of the Labour Women’s Network
Subsequently I was posted as the sole RAF officer of the Ship’s Company of HMS Invincible which included a deployment to the Balkans in 2000. I was in charge of all RAF transport and refuelling assets worldwide at the time of 9/11 [Really?] and was subsequently awarded the MBE for my Service during this period, when I also oversaw tasking of UK assets in Afghanistan 2001 [along with many others, I hasten to add!] and the transfer of Milosevic to the Hague [did she personally oversee this or was she just 'there']. I became personal staff officer to Commander UK Forces Iraq 2003, visiting most Arab countries in the region. Subsequently, I worked on US-UK Air Force liaison working with the Pentagon.
Later, I deployed to Helmand province, Afghanistan, to assist the arrival of the UK forces in 2006 and then went on to military staff college where I wrote my thesis on military intervention and the US-UK relationship, following on from an MPhil in European Studies in 1994. I then worked in the MOD in Media and Communications before taking command of operations as a Wing Commander at RAF Valley, Anglesey. During my RAF career, I was promoted at the earliest opportunity at every rank, was the first woman in every job I was posted to [is this something to brag about? I thought we were all equal these days?], and worked hard to ensure that I left the opportunities for those coming up behind me in a better state than when I found them. My best experiences have been working with my teams and colleagues, women and men from all backgrounds and of all ages [likely below 55, I would suggest?]. I am a graduate of the US State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Programme.
Frustrated with military life [that must be a different one that you have just 'crowed' on about then!] and the restrictions that imposed on my political views and ability to participate actively in politics [thems the rules since the English Civil War!], I left the RAF in 2011 and set up my own business working with Service charities [is that supposed to be noble? most people give their time to charities for free!]. I worked as the Event Director and Media Lead for the unveiling of the Bomber Command Memorial in Green Park in 2012 which was a demanding brief working with many stakeholders from all over the world. I now work with a variety of charities and also volunteer at a foodbank.
Since becoming politically ‘free’ I have campaigned actively and continuously for the Labour Party [because like all other 'champagne socialists' the other parties won't have me?], including campaigning during the Bristol Mayoral Election and working with the Shadow Defence team on Forces issues [how's that gone then?]. I was selected on 20th April 2013 to be Labour’s Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Gloucester, 38th on the list of Labour’s target seats.
I’ve moved over 35 times since I left school and so I am very much looking forward to making Gloucester my permanent home [what was wrong with your native South London then?]. I am a member of the Cooperative Party and of Unite [sucking up those lovely Union votes, thank you], and an active supporter of the Labour Women’s Network
iRaven
PS. It is Flight Ops Officer - maybe she can't remember! https://www.raf.mod.uk/recruitment/r...tions-officer/
At least she has been on a few Ops, a lot more that can be said for most MPs. And no, she was not the first woman to be in the DMC/DPR(RAF) SO1 slot. IVLP - a week in the US? I'm not sure that I'd put that on your CV, although it does sound good.
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: South Africa
Age: 87
Posts: 1,329
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Lord Stansgate, Anthony Wedgewood-Benn, Anthony Benn or Tony Benn et al did his National Service in the RAF.
He would wear an RAF tie when talking about anything aviation, particularly Concord(e).
He would wear an RAF tie when talking about anything aviation, particularly Concord(e).
Gentleman Aviator
And of course Norman Tebbitt, who flew Vampires and Meatboxes before his BOAC career (he also flew with the Auxies after his regular service).
Had the immense pleasure of sitting next to him at a Dinner in Westminster last year; amazing to chat to - 95% aviation and 5% politics!
Had the immense pleasure of sitting next to him at a Dinner in Westminster last year; amazing to chat to - 95% aviation and 5% politics!
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: East Midlands
Posts: 224
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ah! I vaguely remember her at The Towers, in the 90s! So she must have done bloody well to be:
Seems she was an acting sqn ldr in Sep 2001 https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/...5/supplement/9 - so, yes, in her world that would figure! I suspect, however, that the AOC would have a view on who was in charge!
Bloggs
in charge of all RAF transport and refueling (Sp - see me!) assets worldwide at the time of 9/11 and was subsequently awarded the MBE for her Service during this period.
Bloggs
Last edited by Fg Off Bloggs; 25th Nov 2014 at 21:28. Reason: Accuracy (thanks Evalu8ter & Wrathmonk)
Bloggs - think your dates are about 5 years out. She was doing BFT at Cranwell in the mid 90s. Strange that all that Pilot and Nav training isn't on that CV, along with other 'distractions'.....
Perhaps her career was a lot to do with 'right place, right time' (as are so many...); she stopped flying just as Ops Spt was taking off, had spent years in the flying training system and therefore stood out in a junior branch trying to populate the So2/So1 cadre almost from scratch. Against many of her peers she would have seemed experienced and capable, hence the rapid promotion. Maybe the job at Valley was a step too far - can't comment, wasn't there.
Who doesn't exaggerate the good and attempt to hide the bad on a CV?
Perhaps her career was a lot to do with 'right place, right time' (as are so many...); she stopped flying just as Ops Spt was taking off, had spent years in the flying training system and therefore stood out in a junior branch trying to populate the So2/So1 cadre almost from scratch. Against many of her peers she would have seemed experienced and capable, hence the rapid promotion. Maybe the job at Valley was a step too far - can't comment, wasn't there.
Who doesn't exaggerate the good and attempt to hide the bad on a CV?
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: England
Posts: 924
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Tebbitt was arguably a very nasty piece of political work, when it mattered to a lot of people. Jury is still out on our recent history and his murky role in it, as far as I'm concerned. Its only in his latter, very elderly years that (some) peoples attitude have softened a little towards him, because he was crippled by the bomb, along with his wife-he didn't deserve that, who would?
Anyway back on the thread, vaguely remember her from way back when and good luck to her.
iraven is a tory spook? Mole? Or just jealous?
Anyway back on the thread, vaguely remember her from way back when and good luck to her.
iraven is a tory spook? Mole? Or just jealous?
Last edited by Hangarshuffle; 25th Nov 2014 at 18:17.