New Defence Secretary -Reshuffle

[Squirrel 41]

Sky News reporting that John Reid now Home Secretary. No word on new Def Sec yet.

S41

[AerBabe]

That was my first thought too! Really hope it's someone good ...

[WE Branch Fanatic]

Sadly I doubt it.........

[dallas]

What, you mean someone we've never heard of?

[Squirrel 41]

Is to be Des Browne (with an "e"), uintil today Chief Secretary to the Treasury - Gordon's number two.

S41

[Farmer 1]

Well, there's always the ex-Home Secretary, of course.

[The Helpful Stacker]

Any chance of someone with a military background, other than watching Band of Brothers of course.:rolleyes:

[fantaman]

This from the BBC News, who will be the next defence sec???


Charles Clarke has been axed as home secretary as Tony Blair seeks to regain the initiative after a night of losses in English local elections.


He will be replaced by defence secretary John Reid. Margaret Beckett is the new Foreign Secretary, with Jack Straw becoming Commons leader. John Prescott will stay as deputy prime minister but loses his department.


At least we've got rid of that w:mad: r Reid! :ok:

[airborne_artist]

Not sure there's any Liabour MPs with an ex-mil background? Tories have a few inc. Andrew Robathan, ex Guards and 22, and Adam Holloway, also ex Guards and 22. Holloway might be one to watch if Dave gets into #10.

[Archimedes]

Des Browne will now have the delights of trying to operate within the financial constraints that he's been responsible for imposing on Defence for the last 12 months...

[Wyler]

The Tory party has two ex Guards Officers. Oh super, horses all round then.

[Strictly Jungly]

This from the BBC News, who will be the next defence sec???



At least we've got rid of that w:mad: r Reid! :ok:

Yes we may hav but I am sure another useless odious creature will be along soon to continue where Arch spinster Reid has left off!

[Duncan D'Sorderlee]

http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/about/ministerial_profiles/minprofile_browne.cfm

[teeteringhead]

You are cruel! IMHO John Reid was one of the best we've had for a long time (not difficult you may well say). He had the background as Min AF, which was when I was last in Whitehall and he seemed good then. More importantly in some ways, he had been "shadow" for a long time prior to '77 and had not a bad depth of knowledge already.

Better the devil you know ...... and stand by for photo-opportunity (sorry, I mean fact-finding) visits to outposts various ... just what the troops need I guess......:rolleyes:

[The Helpful Stacker]

The Tory party has two ex Guards Officers. Oh super, horses all round then.

They are also ex-them (http://www.arrse.co.uk/wiki/THEM) members too but they probably don't like to talk about it.;)

[Bluntend]

Some interesting posts on the BBC's message page:
http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=1702&&edition=1&ttl=20060505121527
I must admit, I find it hard to disagree with most of the comments made...

[Wyler]

Were they the technical advisers on Ultimate Force?:E

[The Helpful Stacker]

Were they the technical advisers on Ultimate Force?:E

No I believe that was Mr Mitty, ex-THEM instructor in underwater knife fighting.

[dallas]

Notwithstanding the statistical probability that he is a t*sser in view of the company he keeps, I'm not actually sure what Reid did while DefSec. So much as it would be fashionable to criticise him now he's off, I can't.

Either way Browne with an e is hardly going to waltz in and get the budget we need to do the job. Note: I don't mean to refurbish Whitehall offices and buy senior officers new cars either - I mean buy the kit for the military task at hand. A330s would be a good start.

[WhiteOvies]

Surely underwater knife fighting is more the remit of the lads from Dorset? :suspect:

[VitaminGee]

lads from Dorset?

Would that be from the Portland Borstal?:}

VG

[A2QFI]

Well, there's always the ex-Home Secretary, of course. He's probably standing somewhere in the West End selling the Big Issue!

[Bluntend]

For info, here is what Dr Reid had to say upon leaving to become Home Secretary. Enjoy...
"Great fondness and pride" - John Reid bids farewell to Defence
05/05/2006
Secretary of State the Rt Hon John Reid MP has departed the Ministry of Defence for the top job at the Home Office, almost exactly one year after taking up the post.
John Reid: "This has been my best year in Government "
Shortly before leaving the MOD's Whitehall HQ for the last time as Secretary of State, John Reid sent the following message to Armed Forces personnel around the World:
"I have never made any secret of my huge admiration for Britain's Armed Forces. The courage, professionalism and dedication you display every day in carrying out the difficult tasks you are asked to do act as an example of all that is best about this country.
"What is also true, albeit less obvious perhaps, is the how much I appreciate the immense support, guidance and friendship I have enjoyed from so many of you in my time at the Ministry of Defence – both as Minister for the Armed Forces and over the last year as Secretary of State.
"I have been immensely lucky to have held this post, and as I leave to undertake a new challenge I want all of you to know, wherever you are reading or listening to this message, that I think of you not only as the best fighting force in the world, but as the best organisation I’ve ever had the privilege of working with.
"I will look back on this last year with great fondness, and pride, and I wish each and every one of you all the best.
"With warmest regards, John Reid."
As he left, Mr Reid was applauded by several hundred Service personnel and MOD civil servants who had gathered in Main Building's South Concourse. Speaking informally to the crowd, Mr Reid added:
"This has been my best year in Government - you're great people, you truly are the best of British."
Mr Reid will be succeeded by Rt Hon Des Browne MP, currently Chief Secretary to the Treasury

[Talking Radalt]

He's probably standing somewhere in the West End selling the Big Issue!

But I thought this whole thing was to do with deporting recently released criminals? :E

[MarkD]

Stacker

If the MoD can get Browne to "go native" he might be more useful than any ex-THEM.

[Ewan Whosearmy]

And isn't David Davis ex-'them' territorials? Not sure if that carries with it the same kudos, but I think he's spot-on.

[stuckinLatinAmerica]

Is it just me, or is our new Def Sec the twin brother of Keith Barron? :bored:

Stuckin

[BellEndBob]

I really don't understand why people are getting so excited about Clarke getting the Heave-Ho. The useless Civil Servant Jobsworths who are actually responsible for the mess are still in situ. What's more they will stay there as the next few Home Secretaries come and go.:mad: :mad:

[Dogfish]

I wouldn't trust any of these ''New Lie boor'' f:mad:kwits to run a bath, let alone run the country. Time for Phoney B liar and his cronies to exit stage left.:yuk:

[BellEndBob]

To be replaced by what exactly? Green Dave and his Tuck Shop toffs? Until we have a real opposition that drifts a little to the, dare I say, Right we will continue to go nowhere fast.

[Dogfish]

Would ''call me Dave'' and his boys do a worse job than the current bunch of idiots? I reckon a three year old could do a better job than the current No 10 limpet. I realise that I am insulting limpets but there is something wholly unedifying about the way that Bliar is clinging on to power. Even his own party hate him; can't the man take the hint?

[airborne_artist]

And isn't David Davis ex-'them' territorials? Not sure if that carries with it the same kudos, but I think he's spot-on.

DD was briefly in 23 - passed selection, but then got moved/promoted in his civvy job and packed it in. Julian Brazier (Canterbury) is ex-21, but is a bit of a kn*b in my personal experience. Andrew Robathan was quite rude about DD banging on about his one year as a weekend wonder, having done two tours with the regt.

Still not bad that there are four with a Them connection in the House.

[South Bound]

Hmmm, you seen the size of his mortgages? Think I would cling on as long as possible....

[FrogPrince]

The omens aren't good.

A Scottish lawyer who is considered a 'Brownite' coming across to the MoD from HM Treasury. A quick scan of t'internet shows no military connections or interests whatsoever.

Expect lots more dodgy off-balance sheet financing in the RAB accounting - sorry - PFI/PPP, but very few SoS visits to military establishments.

Scooby doo, where are you ??

[Archimedes]

Is it me, or does the new SoS have a hairstyle alarmingly similar to 'Swiss Toni'?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/profiles/images/charlie_higson.jpg
Browne
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/media/EB6/75/des-browne-web.jpg
Toni

[Talking Radalt]

Sorry? Hair style you say? :uhoh:

[LFFC]

Well - after several previous attempts, it looks like the Chancellor has finally managed to get one of his boys into the Defence driving seat.

I'm not sure that we'll see any additional "dodgy off-balance sheet deals" - it's more likely that we won't see any deals at all! Perhaps we should open a book on which deal will be the first to bite the dust? Carrier? JSF? FSTA? MFTS? MRA4? Hawk? A400M?

[BleepBleep]

Do you mean we have a choice!!!! Carrier is a given - we all knew that original announcement was just a delaying tactic (say they will think about it and then make the hard decision when they won't have any chance of being in office - 3rd term win may bring them home to roost!!).

I think we are all seeing the same thing with a brownie coming from the T! How about a direct line from Main B to Treasury saying exactly where the next axe can fall - before he puts his specs on!!!! We are mid-way into 15% cut, do I hear 20 anywhere?!!!!

[flipster]

Guys and Gals,

Give the bloke a chance - he's not even found out where MOD Main Building is yet, never mind his office!

Still, being Def Sec will bring home the enormity of the job, when he gets a warning notice for corporate manslaughter!

I am sure, as a lawyer and treasury official, he appreciates the legal aspects of the responsibility of his post as well as the poor economics his predecessors have displayed.

Also I'm fairly sure the Services will be reduced to the BBMF, a few cavalary officers and one fishery protection vessel. But at least, then we won't have spend all our 'best years' in the desert, fighting an almost invisible enemy for ungrateful buggers who don't want us in their country anyway - and all because Dubya wants more oil.

So, there is a silver lining in every cloud! Bravo!!!

[Always_broken_in_wilts]

Having had the last dull f@ck on the flight deck, he had not a clue as to whether he was on a J or a K deespite the blether he has recently spouted on the tank foam issue, STROKER:mad:, his replacement can't be much worse..........we hope:sad:

all spelling mistakes are "df" alcohol induced

[Roadster280]

A rather unmilitary haircut with Gringo moustache.

ZUJ

[The Helpful Stacker]

Having had the last dull f@ck on the flight deck, he had not a clue as to whether he was on a J or a K deespite the blether he has recently spouted on the tank foam issue, STROKER:mad:, his replacement can't be much worse..........we hope:sad:
all spelling mistakes are "df" alcohol induced

Aren't J's the one that make your fillings rattle out if you're sat anywhere from beneath the main spar or further aft?;)

[pulse1]

Today's Telegraph covers all the cabinet job changes in some detail with the notable exception of that of the new Defence Secretary. The only mention I could find in the whole paper was one of the political commentators asking "Who is Des Browne?". Is this the level of importance given to the subject of defence at a time when we are virtually at war on two fronts and, as today's terrible news shows, our troops are being put at risk every day?

This comes in the week following exceptional publicity achieved by the campaigners to get our C130 fleet adequately protected.

Anyway, I don't think it is going to make any difference. It is now clear at last to me that our politicians are being driven by the Civil Service. Although, New Labour have been masters of spin since 1997 I don't think they hold a candle to the Civil Servants who use selective leaks to the media to undermine any political leader who tries to do something about their incompetence. Personally, I can't see a politician of any colour who is clever or strong enough to reorganise the MOD, Home Office or MOH against the power of the civil servants and the media.

This will become obvious if we ever do get a Tory Defence Secretary, when we see that he/she is unable to get the Chinook verdict reviewed as they have promised. At least they won't without a lot of blood being shed.

[nigegilb]

watch this space

[Roland Pulfrew]

Today's Telegraph covers all the cabinet job changes in some detail with the notable exception of that of the new Defence Secretary. The only mention I could find in the whole paper was one of the political commentators asking "Who is Des Browne?". Is this the level of importance given to the subject of defence at a time when we are virtually at war on two fronts and, as today's terrible news shows, our troops are being put at risk every day?


And one of the major lines in the Torygraph claims that that gnome Clarke was offered Defence. So a bloke who cannot deport illegal immigrants direct from our own prisons gets offered the job of running 2 minor wars!! Brilliant Planning Bliar:yuk: :yuk: :yuk:

In the words of a famous Scottish Soldier - "We're Dooomed, Aye Doooomed!"

[Kitbag]

Without going off thread, at least Clarke had the decency to agree to snipe at the government from the back benches. As Sir Humphrey would say 'There is nothing a government hates more than a sacked Minister with a grudge.' I wonder if he could afford to buy a peerage?

[Kitbag]

Just a thought, but if the former Sec Def was responsible for the introduction of a database system that can't cope with 40 odd thousand users securely, what will Dr Reid agree to for the national Identity Card database at the Home Office?

[Inspector Dreyfuss]

Having consulted the Sunday Telegraph and The Observer today, I too deplore the complete lack of interest in the appointment of the new SoS for Defence. Who is he and what does he know about the subject? Is the woeful degree of ignorance regarding defence in the present government a sign of the times? Would the other lot show any more interest. God help us if Soames is the best they can offer.

[Wyler]

Sadly, I fear we are no longer deemed relevant. The combined fighting manpower of the Armed Forces would not fill 4 Premiership Football Stadiums, so we no longer count in any National power struggle. The war in Iraq is seen as an abject failure by the mainstream of the British population, and the media concentration on bringing soldiers to book for 'so called' acts has only served to further destroy our esteem amongst the masses.
Enter stage left Mr Brown in his one suit and Socialist Banner and we will be sent further into the hinterland. This will be exascerbated by the total lack of a credible opposition and the sycophantic mumblings of a Military Leadership promoted by way of PC initiatives and the civilianisation of the Armed Forces.
I fear the dawning of the 'UK Defence Force', as part of a wider European entity, is only a matter of time on our present course. We will go to work in civvies, get changed, do our days work and go home in civvies. There will be no social side to promote the 'Espirit De Corps', no community due to the selling off of all MQs, Messes will be 'Clubs' where you pay as you go and our presence in any troublespot will be nothing more than tokenism designed to do nothing other than justify the continued existence of a beauracratic monster.
We will, as history has shown on numerous occasions, only learn the error of our ways when it is too late.


I am particularly impressed with the above seeing as how I have been at a BBQ all afternoon where I managed 3 pints of 'Mooses Milk'. We did, however, cure all of the worlds ills.:ok:

[Archimedes]

Inspector D,

Soames has been put out to lunch, probably permanently. Liam Fox is their man at defence now, although he has kept a rather low profile so far (then again, there's less broadsheet diary column coverage of his luncheon engagements than there was for Soames' diningh habits). Since Fox was a leadership contender, I suppose it suggests Cameron attaches a certain degree of importance to the post, rather than handing it over to a minor figure in the party.

[A2QFI]

This gentleman has lost some credibility since a lady, who had carnal knowledge of him, described the experience as - "Rather like being fallen on by a large wardrobe with the key sticking out". Reported some years ago in the Peteborough column in the DT. I should add that I saw him with his wife and young family, in the unlikely setting of a Little Chef on the A1 and he was not using his 'rank' or being anything untoward at all - just a family man on a day out. No buffet - it was waitress service at the table!

[Gainesy]

Never ever get between Soames and a buffet.:uhoh:

[Inspector Dreyfuss]

Wyler - must try moose's milk again - never known you so articulate!

No known interest in defence from the new SoS then...
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/about/ministerial_profiles/minprofile_browne.cfm

[ORAC]

Des Browne
From Wikipedia:

The Right Honourable Desmond Henry Browne QC (born March 22, 1952) British politician and barrister. He is the Labour Member of Parliament for Kilmarnock and Loudoun. He is the Chief Secretary to the Treasury in the Cabinet.

Des Browne was born in Kilwinning and was educated at the local St Michael's Academy and the University of Glasgow, where he received a degree in law. He started his legal career in 1974 as an apprentice solicitor with the firm James Campbell & Co. On qualifying in 1976 he became an assistant solicitor with Ross, Harper and Murphy, promoted to solicitor in 1980. He became a partner in McClusky Browne in 1985 as a solicitor, becoming a council member of the Law Society of Scotland 1988-1992. He has concentrated mainly on Child Law.

He contested the parliamentary seat of Argyll and Bute at the 1992 General Election, and finished in a poor fourth place way behind the sitting Liberal Democrat MP Ray Michie. He was called to the bar in Scotland in 1993. Des Browne was selected to contest the safe Labour seat of Kilmarnock and Loudoun following the retirement of the sitting MP William McKelvey. Browne won the seat comfortably at the 1997 General Election with a majority of 7,256. He made his maiden speech on June 20, 1997.

Des Browne joined the Northern Ireland Select Committee on his election, and became the Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) to the Secretary of State for Scotland Donald Dewar in 1998. After Dewar left the Cabinet in 1999 to seek election as the First Minister of Scotland, Browne remained in post as PPS to the new Secretary of State John Reid. In 2000 he became the PPS to the Minister of State at the Northern Ireland Office.

After the 2001 General Election Des Browne entered Tony Blair's government as the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Northern Ireland Office. He was promoted to Minister of State at the Department of Work and Pensions in 2003, before moving to the Home Office in 2004 as the minister with responsibility for immigration, after Beverley Hughes resigned in a scandal. He joined the Cabinet following the 2005 General Election as the Chief Secretary to the Treasury and became a Member of the Privy Council.

Des Browne is considered a Brownite, and has been married to Maura Taylor since 1983, they have two sons.

[A2QFI]

Another Blair poodle, come down from across the Border to mess up OUR country!

[brakedwell]

It should have been Two Shags with Ruth Kelly as his deputy. That would have done wonders for morale.:\ :\ :\ :\

[[email protected]]

So, essentially - he's been a part of the sell-out to the IRA/Sinn Fein, the open-door policy for every economic migrant who wanted to come to this country and then he's helped produce the stealth taxes this government has given us, the siphoning off of the country's pensions, the siphoning off of the military's pensions and the under-investment of the Armed Forces whilst handing out jobs to every socialist/liberalist of the metroplitan elite who fancied a job 'running' the NHS. :rolleyes:

Great. And he's come to do a hatchet job on us now too. I can't wait! :\

[brakedwell]

He sounds like the perfect man for the job, the latest in a long line of misfits. Does anybody remember Arfur Bottomley, the Old Labour incumbent who fell asleep while watching the end of empire parade in Aden? :rolleyes:

[Almost_done]

Another Blair poodle, come down from across the Border to mess up OUR country!
He may have come from up over the Border (as do a lot of servicemen and Women), at least it allows us the chance to mess up your Country as much as YOU have meddeled in ours :} .

However he's a Brownite, so don't look to him as a friend to the Forces, ex Treasury muppet. :\

[brakedwell]

He may have come from up over the Border (as do a lot of servicemen and Women), at least it allows us the chance to mess up your Country as much as YOU have meddeled in ours :\
You can have it back when the oil runs out and you have paid for the Scottish Parliament buuilding.

[teeteringhead]

Does anybody remember Arfur Bottomley, the Old Labour incumbent who fell asleep while watching the end of empire parade in Aden? Surely you mean Fred Mulley who fell asleep at the Silver Jubilee Review of the RAF in 1977...
Bottomley was the one who commented on the weather in Gan (13 months unaccompanied for the newer chaps) saying: "Eeh but the wives and kiddies must love it here!"

[Almost_done]

You can have it back when the oil runs out and you have paid for the Scottish Parliament buuilding.

lol, nah thanks, we have to stay here for about another hundred years and get to perform some acts of ethnic cleansing...............:uhoh:

[brakedwell]

Surely you mean Fred Mulley who fell asleep at the Silver Jubilee Review of the RAF in 1977...
Bottomley was the one who commented on the weather in Gan (13 months unaccompanied for the newer chaps) saying: "Eeh but the wives and kiddies must love it here!"

Arfur also fell asleep during a parade in Aden when I was stationed at Khormaksar in 1964/66 - on checking he was S of S for Commonwealth Affairs.

[Inspector Dreyfuss]

I note that our glorious new leader got a rousing raspberry from the press following his first effort in the Commons.
The Telegraph reckons that Brown's new officer needed more training whilst The Times (or it may have been the Independent) rates him as a possible secret weapon for the MOD. He could bore our enemies to death!