New Defence Secretary -Reshuffle
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Originally Posted by 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
, his replacement can't be much worse..........we hope
all spelling mistakes are "df" alcohol induced
, his replacement can't be much worse..........we hope all spelling mistakes are "df" alcohol induced
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.
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.
Originally Posted by 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?
In the words of a famous Scottish Soldier - "We're Dooomed, Aye Doooomed!"
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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?
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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?
Last edited by Kitbag; 7th May 2006 at 20:48. Reason: Edited for spelling
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Soames
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!
Last edited by A2QFI; 8th May 2006 at 10:14.
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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/...ile_browne.cfm
No known interest in defence from the new SoS then...
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/about/...ile_browne.cfm
Last edited by Inspector Dreyfuss; 8th May 2006 at 09:46.
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
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.
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.
Scottish Mafia
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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. 
Great. And he's come to do a hatchet job on us now too. I can't wait!
Great. And he's come to do a hatchet job on us now too. I can't wait!
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?
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Originally Posted by A2QFI
Another Blair poodle, come down from across the Border to mess up OUR country!
.However he's a Brownite, so don't look to him as a friend to the Forces, ex Treasury muppet.
Originally Posted by Almost_done
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