Fat Gordons Message on Defence
Thread Starter
Broone Retains Defence but also gains Scotland
I see the BBC are reporting that in Gordons new goverment, Des Broooon not only retains his job as Defence Minister, but also gains Scotland! 
What does that say about Gordons attitude to the UK military, if he thinks his minister of defence has got time on his hands to also look after the Scottish portfolio???
Has some one not told him we are fighting in foreign lands, or has Gordon got plans we are not aware of yet?
What does that say about Gordons attitude to the UK military, if he thinks his minister of defence has got time on his hands to also look after the Scottish portfolio???
Has some one not told him we are fighting in foreign lands, or has Gordon got plans we are not aware of yet?
Fat Gordons Message on Defence
So now we know. Such high priority does Gordon have for defence that he's double-hatted Dopy Des as Minister for the Jockonauts......or should that be Browne-hatted?
Absolute disgrace.
Absolute disgrace.
You beat me to it. Absolute disgrace, mind you, Scotland has a bigger budget than Defence.
P45s anyone?
Prime minister: Gordon Brown
Chancellor: Alistair Darling
Foreign Secretary: David Miliband
Home Secretary: Jacqui Smith
Health: Alan Johnson
Schools and children: Ed Balls
Innovation, universities and skills: John Denham
Justice: Jack Straw
Commons leader: Harriet Harman
Defence and Scotland: Des Browne
Int Development: Douglas Alexander
Work and Pensions: Peter Hain
Northern Ireland: Shaun Woodward
Chief secretary to the Treasury: Andy Burnham
Cabinet office minister: Ed Miliband
Culture: James Purnell
Olympics: Tessa Jowell
Transport: Ruth Kelly
Lords leader: Baroness Ashton
Attorney General: Baroness Scotland
Environment: Hilary Benn
Chief Whip: Geoff Hoon
Business and enterprise: John Hutton
Duchy of Lancaster: To be confirmed
Communities: Hazel Blears
P45s anyone?
Prime minister: Gordon Brown
Chancellor: Alistair Darling
Foreign Secretary: David Miliband
Home Secretary: Jacqui Smith
Health: Alan Johnson
Schools and children: Ed Balls
Innovation, universities and skills: John Denham
Justice: Jack Straw
Commons leader: Harriet Harman
Defence and Scotland: Des Browne
Int Development: Douglas Alexander
Work and Pensions: Peter Hain
Northern Ireland: Shaun Woodward
Chief secretary to the Treasury: Andy Burnham
Cabinet office minister: Ed Miliband
Culture: James Purnell
Olympics: Tessa Jowell
Transport: Ruth Kelly
Lords leader: Baroness Ashton
Attorney General: Baroness Scotland
Environment: Hilary Benn
Chief Whip: Geoff Hoon
Business and enterprise: John Hutton
Duchy of Lancaster: To be confirmed
Communities: Hazel Blears
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I had to double check that. Is this the start of the Free Scottish Air Force we've heard rumours about for so long? 
What a poor result and another body blow for MoD.
What a poor result and another body blow for MoD.
Red On, Green On
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Defence has always been seen as one of the big four - alongside Home Office, Foreign Office and Treasury. To lump Scotland in with Defence is an admission that, since devolution, Scotland is a part-time job (true, but not easy for Broon to admit to) and that Defence is no longer a full-time job (very strange given the current deployments).
I think it tells us most of what we need to know about the man
I think it tells us most of what we need to know about the man
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Either that, or Gay Gordon is going to get Swiss Des to deploy you lot against Alec Salmond, the SNP and Holyrood before the SNP and the electorate of Dunfermline East remove Gay Gordon from his seat!
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Well, well, well
First off, this isn't a party-political rant.
But I am disappointed and/or confused: El Gordo last week and this week blathered on about the importance of "a government of all the talents".
And indeed he was semi-publicly rebuffed by Paddy Ashdown....
... which makes you wonder why Des Brooowne, who's principal achievement appears to have been (a small) improvement on the "utterly, utterly useless" BuffHoon is still in the Cabinet?
Let alone getting another half-a-job??!
Is this an indication that El Gordo thinks that there is no talent left in New Labour? Or just that none of them have ever served? Or that he doesn't understand or care less about defence?
... or sadly, a combination of all three...?
S41
But I am disappointed and/or confused: El Gordo last week and this week blathered on about the importance of "a government of all the talents".
And indeed he was semi-publicly rebuffed by Paddy Ashdown....
... which makes you wonder why Des Brooowne, who's principal achievement appears to have been (a small) improvement on the "utterly, utterly useless" BuffHoon is still in the Cabinet?
Let alone getting another half-a-job??!
Is this an indication that El Gordo thinks that there is no talent left in New Labour? Or just that none of them have ever served? Or that he doesn't understand or care less about defence?
... or sadly, a combination of all three...?
S41
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Swiss Des may have been seen as a safe pair of hands, but there is also the point that to swap him out (for whom?) could well have been seen as a morale-killer for those serving. What does it say about Defence if the fairly new, and modestly-respected head shed is swapped for a newer, younger model, most of whom are totally lacking in substance.
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Between political and military leadership, I have got used to looking out for myself and those I work with. I no longer expect any top cover above Stn level.
I would hang on to your P45's though. I don't think the money grabbing git will be in Downing Street long. Not saying the tories are the panacea for defence, just taxed less on our redundancy payments!
WM
I would hang on to your P45's though. I don't think the money grabbing git will be in Downing Street long. Not saying the tories are the panacea for defence, just taxed less on our redundancy payments!
WM
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You don't think perhaps that you are all jumping the gun on this a bit?
How about we give him a reasonable period of time to either come through for the country, or as many of you (possibly me too) suspect, make a complete arse of it.
It is only right to give him, lets say 6 months, before we decide he is a disaster.
How about we give him a reasonable period of time to either come through for the country, or as many of you (possibly me too) suspect, make a complete arse of it.
It is only right to give him, lets say 6 months, before we decide he is a disaster.
As AA put it,who do you have as political master, Ruth Kelly, Patrica Hewitt Buffhoon back in charge or Ed Balls the PMS little friend. None if this cabal of incompetants have the moral fortitude of any member of HM Forces, and are not even worthy to clean their boots (suspect they make a b**ls up even if they did, and then cry when the SWO made one of their normal forthright comments delivered in the usual manner and would bo***ck them for not calling him or her SIR or MA'AM)
We have to realise most if not all modern politicians are both very underexposed to the real world either being ex local authority, failed lawyers or underwater basket weavers (educators) and have a very high degree or doctorate in mendacity, incompetence and down right dis-honesty. There is very few who I suspect could lie straight in bed let alone tell the truth.
Unfortunately this is the price of living in a "democracy" and not a dictatorship.
The only option is slash the number of MPs by half, reduce their wages by at least 20% and make them turn in receipts for every expenditure over £5.
Browne = waste of space but are the options any better ???
We have to realise most if not all modern politicians are both very underexposed to the real world either being ex local authority, failed lawyers or underwater basket weavers (educators) and have a very high degree or doctorate in mendacity, incompetence and down right dis-honesty. There is very few who I suspect could lie straight in bed let alone tell the truth.
Unfortunately this is the price of living in a "democracy" and not a dictatorship.
The only option is slash the number of MPs by half, reduce their wages by at least 20% and make them turn in receipts for every expenditure over £5.
Browne = waste of space but are the options any better ???