...but don't forget that Mr Blair, who you and many others on this thread dish out such (IMHO) juvenile abuse to, was democratically elected under the British system so get over and on with it.
Hitler was also democratically elected, it didn't stop him from being a bad egg.
And isn't that the point - saluting is a courtesy, and let us call them compliments rather than marks of respect. Whatever one may personally think of the individual, it is discourteous to withold a salute as it is to fail to return one. One thing that sets the Services apart is that we retain (in the face of cuts and mismanagement) both professionalism and politeness.
1: He IS to be saluted. He is the appointed head of Her Majesty's Government, so recieves a salute whether you happen to like him or not. This is equally applicable to all members of the Cabinet. (But not to the opposition).
2: He is addressed as "Prime Minister" in the first instance, "Sir" in any following converation. All other cabinet ministers are addressed similarly as "Minister" then "Sir".
3: All of this applies notwithstanding your own personal feelings on matters political.. It's in the rules, it's not left down to your own whims on whether you like someone or not. After all, do you only salute senior Officers that you like personally, or respect?
These are all fair points...normally. However, when I joined up, the illegal, deceit-shrouded and lunatic invasion of Iraq was not even a twinkle in the deranged staring eye. Add to that the remarkable discourtesy Bliar has shown with regard to tradition, whether it is the refusal of his missus to curtsey to Her Majesty or the tearing-up and flouting of constitutional safeguards.
The Commission is addressed to the "trusty and well-beloved" recipient and signed by the Sovereign. The key word is "trusty". Although the Sovereign is constitutionally responsible for appointing ministers, in a modern democracy it would be impossible to remove an errant minister. Bliar was entrusted with sweeping prerogative powers and has abused them extensively, to the detriment of this nation and world security. The supposedly sacred bond of trust has been shattered. I came to this conclusion in 2003 - during the Hutton inquiry - and resigned, quietly and without fuss.
I suspect that most of those in uniform would
like to give Bliar two fingers but (in the unlikely event of being in this position) would feel it to be unwise, perhaps even inappropriate (I have some admiration for those who can remain so dispassionate despite what has occurred) and I suspect those who feel as strongly as I do have voted with their feet already.