Funny, because they did nothing to help Appledore Shipyard - although it isn't in (or likely to be in) a Labour constituency. Neither is the constituency next to it, which I live in. Back to Appledore, a few months ago they were competing for the replacement for the
Castle class patrol vesels. ONE will supoosedly do the same job as two, despite one being UK based and the other one in the Falklands. How can one ship be in two places at once?
On that note, regardless of how good T45/
Astute are, the fact is the numbers of frigates/destroyers/SSNs is being cut. Most of the activities of our Forces are not high intensity warfighting, yet our ability to do lower intensity stuff is being reduced. Additionally the level of protection for high value assets in high intensity ops is reduced. What good are the LPD(R) if they can't be protected by frigates/destroyers/aircraft?
This recent session at the defence select commitee might help make my point.
And the other Services are experiencing the Governments "small sword. no armour" policy. Consider air defence reductions, GBAD, personnel cuts so they are less people for guard duties, FRES, etc etc etc.
I know of people who on the first night of
Telic found themelves driving into Iraq unescorted in unarmoured vehicles, with no radios, no ammunition for their weapons, no body armour......
It's very easy for Blair or Hoon to boost about our offesnsive assets but it's not them taking the risks. Nor are they the ones waiting for bad news, fearing the worst with every phone call, every knock at the door.
Incidentally, how many troops wounded in Iraq have been visited by Blair? None!