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Old 27th Jan 2018, 10:48
  #231 (permalink)  
Frostchamber
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: UK
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Originally Posted by Onceapilot
Hi Stuff. Here is a quote of Gavin Williamson to the DT reported by the BBC:

"The plan for the Russians won't be for landing craft to appear in the South Bay in Scarborough, and off Brighton beach.

"They are going to be thinking, 'how can we just cause so much pain to Britain?

"Damage its economy, rip its infrastructure apart, actually cause thousands and thousands and thousands of deaths, but actually have an element of creating total chaos within the country."

Of course, the intent he has is to raise concern in the British public, due to his desire to increase UK defence spending. However, the tone and use of words in the piece make, what could be a real present threat, into a fantasy. It superficially reads as if, the Russians are actually (x2!) doing this now. What could be a measured statement becomes absurd, allowing the Russian Defence representative to make it a joke and deny that they are doing this. So, by making an alarmist, poorly thought-out statement, the UK Defence Sec has made a fool of us and, more importantly, the question of the Russian State threat to the UK is devalued.
So, what will the Defence Sec tell the British public next?

OAP
Entirely agree. Whatever happened to "speak softly and carry a big stick"? His predecessor started the trend eg with cringy statements about how the Russians would envy our carrier, and he has taken it further. The only rationale I can think of is that he may be taking a gamble that an overtly populist line (compare the photo shoot with the "saved" dog while waving a copy of the Sun) will pay dividends politically. And so far, it has to be said, his political calculations have served him well.

Similary, many of us have fretted that defence doesn't sit higher in public consciousness. Maybe this sort of thing is what it takes. I just wish it didn't have to be quite so toe-curling in tone.
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