Des Brown - Armed Forces Covenant
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Des Brown - Armed Forces Covenant
Whilst it's great that the government appear to finally be acknowledging the sacrifice made by the Armed Forces, did anyone else who saw Des Brown addressing the Commons just now get the feeling he was being in the slightest bit sincere?
IMO, it was delivered with ZERO empathy to the needs of today’s servicemen.
I guess I shouldn't be surprised.
IMO, it was delivered with ZERO empathy to the needs of today’s servicemen.
I guess I shouldn't be surprised.
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Looked to me like he was reading it for the first time. Despite the poor delivery, doubling the max compensation and the other measures listed must be a step forward.
As an aside, the BBC commentary said the measures would be back-dated and also said they would include free bus travel for veterans. Does that mean I'll get a bus-pass?
N Joe
As an aside, the BBC commentary said the measures would be back-dated and also said they would include free bus travel for veterans. Does that mean I'll get a bus-pass?
N Joe
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I think this is a good time to congratulate all those that have worked hard (and I mean bloody hard) over the last few years to achieve this. There are certain organisations and individuals that have campaigned relentlessly to get this result.
A huge well done to you all.
Shame the political masters try to take the credit.
A huge well done to you all.
Shame the political masters try to take the credit.
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That's just Des being Des. Buff Hoon was the same, delivering a passionless speech like a runaway train. If you wanted passion then Adam Ingram was your man, at least he seemed to be genuinely concerned and interested in his work.
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Whilst it's great that the government appear to finally be acknowledging the sacrifice made by the Armed Forces, did anyone else who saw Des Brown addressing the Commons just now get the feeling he was being in the slightest bit sincere?
IMO, it was delivered with ZERO empathy to the needs of today’s servicemen.
IMO, it was delivered with ZERO empathy to the needs of today’s servicemen.
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Des Browne looked and sounded as if he were having teeth pulled. Insincerity oozed from every pore and he just could not be bothered to appear the slightest bit interested in what he was saying. A more complete buffoon has never walked this earth.
I don't know if you saw his side-kick Bob Ainsworth and how involved he seemed to be? Are they ready for a holiday, do you think? They break up tomorrow and return in October. Well, someone has to do it...
I don't know if you saw his side-kick Bob Ainsworth and how involved he seemed to be? Are they ready for a holiday, do you think? They break up tomorrow and return in October. Well, someone has to do it...
Self centred everyone of them, and they wonder why voting is a dying activity.
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As an aside, the BBC commentary said the measures would be back-dated and also said they would include free bus travel for veterans. Does that mean I'll get a bus-pass?
N Joe
N Joe
2.29 Concessionary Bus Travel. By 1 April 2011, the statutory bus concession in England will be extended to include Service personnel and veterans under the age of 60, who were seriously injured in service and who are resident in England
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Originally Posted by EXSCRIBBLER
Des Browne looked and sounded as if he were having teeth pulled. Insincerity oozed from every pore and he just could not be bothered to appear the slightest bit interested in what he was saying. A more complete buffoon has never walked this earth.
a. Come over and give the boys a morale boosting speech?
b. pop across and visit the boss in the NIMDET?
c. Stay on the jet for about 3 hours and hide away?
Or maybe he was Scottish Secretary that day and I'm doing him an injustice!!!!
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Sh%t hit the fan...
Slightly off topic, but look at tomorrows times...
Taxpayer can bear no more, admits Alistair Darling - Times Online
It turns out NO government departments,nil,nada,ziltch will be getting any more extra cash FOR ANY REASON until the next election...
I am guessing here, but if there are going to be any exceptions, defence wont be it...
Cheers Labour, you have managed to destroy a once stable economy, sell off our gold, sell us out to europe, get us into a humongous debt hole whilst we now face the worst recession since 1929...
Not bad for 10 years work...
If things are that bad, how can they justify fighting wars on two fronts whilst the treasury doesnt even have 2 pennies to rub together? Perhaps its time we came home?
Taxpayer can bear no more, admits Alistair Darling - Times Online
It turns out NO government departments,nil,nada,ziltch will be getting any more extra cash FOR ANY REASON until the next election...
Taxpayers are at the limit of what they are willing to pay to fund public services, the Chancellor has said in an interview with The Times.
In his gloomiest assessment yet of the state of the British economy, Alistair Darling gave warning that the downturn was far more profound than he had thought and could last for years rather than months.
He revealed that he told Cabinet ministers this week that there would be no more money for schools, hospitals, defence, transport or policing.
He confirmed that the Treasury was considering revising its fiscal rules to allow more borrowing to deal with the economic problems. He said that he did not believe that voters, already struggling with higher food and fuel bills, would be willing to pay more tax.
“People will pay their fair share but you can’t push that,” he said. “My judgment at the moment is that there are a lot of people in this country who feel they work hard, they make their contribution and they’re feeling squeezed. Every Chancellor has to be very conscious of the fact that there’s a balance to be struck between how much you can spend and how much people will say, ‘OK, if you’ve got another pound to spend remember me as well’.”
In his gloomiest assessment yet of the state of the British economy, Alistair Darling gave warning that the downturn was far more profound than he had thought and could last for years rather than months.
He revealed that he told Cabinet ministers this week that there would be no more money for schools, hospitals, defence, transport or policing.
He confirmed that the Treasury was considering revising its fiscal rules to allow more borrowing to deal with the economic problems. He said that he did not believe that voters, already struggling with higher food and fuel bills, would be willing to pay more tax.
“People will pay their fair share but you can’t push that,” he said. “My judgment at the moment is that there are a lot of people in this country who feel they work hard, they make their contribution and they’re feeling squeezed. Every Chancellor has to be very conscious of the fact that there’s a balance to be struck between how much you can spend and how much people will say, ‘OK, if you’ve got another pound to spend remember me as well’.”
Cheers Labour, you have managed to destroy a once stable economy, sell off our gold, sell us out to europe, get us into a humongous debt hole whilst we now face the worst recession since 1929...
Not bad for 10 years work...
If things are that bad, how can they justify fighting wars on two fronts whilst the treasury doesnt even have 2 pennies to rub together? Perhaps its time we came home?
Vin Rouge,
"Worst recession since 1929"?
I think you'll find that it is the most severe economic slow down since 1991, who was in power then?
I guess it must have been that mob who closed down ALL the military hospitals, sold off the forces marrried quarters to a japanese bank, introduced the concept of the "peace dividend" and brought in "Options for change" and "Front Line first".
Careful what you wish for...................................
"Worst recession since 1929"?
I think you'll find that it is the most severe economic slow down since 1991, who was in power then?
I guess it must have been that mob who closed down ALL the military hospitals, sold off the forces marrried quarters to a japanese bank, introduced the concept of the "peace dividend" and brought in "Options for change" and "Front Line first".
Careful what you wish for...................................
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Wrong. The dry up of personal lending/home improvement/unsecured lending ALONE since October 2007 will account for a fall of 3.6% GDP over the next year. Thats Huge. During the last recession, GDP only fell 1.4%. Do the research.
Thats before we get into mass unemployment, falls in finance sector (Banking accounts for 10% of GDP alone, funny old thing, they are going bust now due to Labours ineptitude) higher debt servicing costs (now Gordon has been proved a complete imbicile and blown his 40% promise and not saved a penny for the rainy day), practically nonexistent export market, higher welfare costs thanks to Labours policy of giving lazy people benefits to not work...
Face facts Pr00ne, your beloved Labour government have managed to do it again. They have turned a stable, easy-to-run economy into a nuclear wasteland by blowing the blinking lot. The Conservatives, once again, aregoing to have to fix this sorry mess, like they did in the 70's, after the last Labour government cocked it up for us all. except this time, north sea oil is not going to bail us out.
If you think this is going to be like the 1990s, you are mistaken. Gordon/Tony have gone and cocked this one up good and proper.
Thats before we get into mass unemployment, falls in finance sector (Banking accounts for 10% of GDP alone, funny old thing, they are going bust now due to Labours ineptitude) higher debt servicing costs (now Gordon has been proved a complete imbicile and blown his 40% promise and not saved a penny for the rainy day), practically nonexistent export market, higher welfare costs thanks to Labours policy of giving lazy people benefits to not work...
Face facts Pr00ne, your beloved Labour government have managed to do it again. They have turned a stable, easy-to-run economy into a nuclear wasteland by blowing the blinking lot. The Conservatives, once again, aregoing to have to fix this sorry mess, like they did in the 70's, after the last Labour government cocked it up for us all. except this time, north sea oil is not going to bail us out.
If you think this is going to be like the 1990s, you are mistaken. Gordon/Tony have gone and cocked this one up good and proper.
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pr00ne
Arrogant, gaff prone, completely out of touch and full of sleaze with an uncharismatic leader.
Which government am I talking about?
In my opinion, the scenario is remarkably similar to that of the Conservative administration in the mid nineties. I'm a conservative by heart - I regard myself as right leaning! - but it was abundantly clear, even to me, that they needed replacing in government in 1997 and even before.
Just how badly would this government have to perform before they were to lose your support? Brown, Browne, Darling. Has there ever been a bunch of such sour faced incompetance in the same place at the same time. I didn't like Blair, but at least he had the charisma to carry a period of unpopularity. I didn't agree with his politics, but I trusted that he thought he was doing the right thing.
Then there's the likes of Blears and Harman, who quite frankly, should be put down. Horrible, horrible people!
When unemployment continues to rise, along with inflation and repossesions, fuel tax continues to rise (this Septembers rise has only been postponed), teenagers continue to stab each other, soldiers keep dying becuase of underfunding and overstretch, roads continue to clogg up, cancer patients continue to die when they wouldn't abroad, policemen and women are double crossed on pay, we're dragged into Europe against our will, Pearages are sold, party funding is hidden and lied about etc etc etc.................
Will you continue to come on here and tell us how lucky we are?
Which government am I talking about?
In my opinion, the scenario is remarkably similar to that of the Conservative administration in the mid nineties. I'm a conservative by heart - I regard myself as right leaning! - but it was abundantly clear, even to me, that they needed replacing in government in 1997 and even before.
Just how badly would this government have to perform before they were to lose your support? Brown, Browne, Darling. Has there ever been a bunch of such sour faced incompetance in the same place at the same time. I didn't like Blair, but at least he had the charisma to carry a period of unpopularity. I didn't agree with his politics, but I trusted that he thought he was doing the right thing.
Then there's the likes of Blears and Harman, who quite frankly, should be put down. Horrible, horrible people!
When unemployment continues to rise, along with inflation and repossesions, fuel tax continues to rise (this Septembers rise has only been postponed), teenagers continue to stab each other, soldiers keep dying becuase of underfunding and overstretch, roads continue to clogg up, cancer patients continue to die when they wouldn't abroad, policemen and women are double crossed on pay, we're dragged into Europe against our will, Pearages are sold, party funding is hidden and lied about etc etc etc.................
Will you continue to come on here and tell us how lucky we are?
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Wait untill the middle and far estern banks move out of London and that 10% of GDP from the city dries up, then we will see how bad things can get. Its coming, don't think manufacturing is the only thing that can be moved off shore.
The government just don't seem interested in protecting the future of the UK. May be thats the problem, "too many jock's spoil the broth".( or should i say get their own back!)
The government just don't seem interested in protecting the future of the UK. May be thats the problem, "too many jock's spoil the broth".( or should i say get their own back!)
Quite how anyone could consider the appalling Bliar as having any charisma is frankly beyond me.
The slimy little poodle rolled over and promised Mad George anything he wanted, then took the UK into what may one day be confirmed as being an illegal war.
Now the true price of his adventuristic folly is being paid. The idiot Brown sold off the UK's gold reserve at the worst possible time in order to bolster NuLabor's boasts; he is now as out of his depth as a Prime Minister as the ridiculous Darling is as Chancellor.
Ignore that silly old hippy pr00ne - and get ready for a General Election when the great unwashed return from their holidays utterly broke to face yet more increases in the cost of living.
NuLabor has utterly screwed up everything. Time to get rid of them!!
The slimy little poodle rolled over and promised Mad George anything he wanted, then took the UK into what may one day be confirmed as being an illegal war.
Now the true price of his adventuristic folly is being paid. The idiot Brown sold off the UK's gold reserve at the worst possible time in order to bolster NuLabor's boasts; he is now as out of his depth as a Prime Minister as the ridiculous Darling is as Chancellor.
Ignore that silly old hippy pr00ne - and get ready for a General Election when the great unwashed return from their holidays utterly broke to face yet more increases in the cost of living.
NuLabor has utterly screwed up everything. Time to get rid of them!!
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Originally Posted by BEagle
Quite how anyone could consider the appalling Bliar as having any charisma is frankly beyond me.
By comparison, I wouldn't even listen to Brown on TV, let alone make any effort to hear what he has to say in person. And finally, Browne - I can't even be arsed to write anything about him, and he gives the impression his feelings for the military are mutual.
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So how the hell does the country get out of this mess. Forget bl00dy politicians, they're all in it for themselves and their party. Easier said than done I know. How much do we give Brussels every day? Why? where does it go?
How can we get rid of the costly proceedures, red tape, KPI's, central control and sheer bull that Cyclops has brought to us. The armed forces see it every day. Christ knows that I used to when I worked in local authority and it's still there, as it is in the health service where Mrs GA works. Everything seems to come down to politics. Performance indicators etc that stand in the way of true profesionalism, logic and common sence. They seem only to exist for political reasons. Ever increasing layers of management that create yet more rules, proceedures in accordance with government control.
How the hell can we compete with not only the far east, eastern europe et al in manufacturing when they pay their workforce a couple of handfulls of rice a day and we're hamstrung by the way that we have to carry out our business?
The conclusion that I'm being to drawn to is that we are on the verge of a pretty big change in the way that people live their lives here. The banks and lending institutions will not be trusted again by many. When buying power reduces further prices will drop further. Maybe a silver lining but I fear for my future in the building industry right now. The memory of two redundancies in the early 90's which were hidden behind the cobwebs in the deepest parts of the brain are now riggling forwards. The Bliar/Brown collective's support for big business will see the destruction of many a small company in the next year. Businesses that did and could provide services cheaper than todays monoliths. I hope that the one that I work for now isn't one that will struggle or fail but I'm expecting the worse at some point. That's the mindset of many.
(Ok so I've got a hang-over, feel like 5h1t and can't see a way forward right now but I'm going back to the beer festival later to cheer myself up for a few more hours, will put the world to rights again and sod it.....
)
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Personally, Guzlin, your observations sound similar to mine. I think the next 50 years are going to see enormous changes around the world, and few of these will favour the UK. I'm not sure if the seemingly self-serving elite have simply spotted the forthcoming crash and, like the crew of a runaway train, are bracing themselves for financial impact in the absence of the ability to jump (the UK). Your point about emerging economies is very relevant, and while the UK taxpayer is burdoned with homegrown layabouts as well as imported refugees, National Minimum Wage and the constant risk of being sued for staff stupidity - to name a few - other countries are far less hamstrung. By the time I die I can envisage the UK and India swapping economic and social places, while China, the US and Russia do a sort of circular swap, resulting in the order: China, Russia, US in terms of supremacy.
The fixes are all fairly right wing, but it starts with tackling the disparity between the taxpayer and the now widely socially accepted layabout, where the latter is supported by the former. Until people face up to their responsibilities the only thing the government should provide the capable-unemployed with is food stamps, because a pint of lager and nice TV are rewards for effort. We can start from there...
The fixes are all fairly right wing, but it starts with tackling the disparity between the taxpayer and the now widely socially accepted layabout, where the latter is supported by the former. Until people face up to their responsibilities the only thing the government should provide the capable-unemployed with is food stamps, because a pint of lager and nice TV are rewards for effort. We can start from there...
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All this blah about the Armed Forces Covenant, including wise words from the hierachy 'bigging' up what the Government have recently done to look after us all, then this arrives in the InBox today:
So while I may have been having thoughts that things were looking up, these have now suddenly been completely wiped out.
The 'original' little things by Mary Dawson Hughes:
It really is the little things
That mean the most of all...
The "let me help you with that" things
That may seem very small
The "I'll be glad to do it" things
That make your cares much lighter,
The "laugh with me, it's funny" things
That make your outlook brighter...
The "never mind the trouble" things,
The "yes, I understand,"
The interest and encouragement
In everything you've planned
It really is the little things,
The friendly word or smile,
That add such happiness to life
And make it more worth while.
The reality:
It really is the little things
That mean the most of all...
The "we’ll look after the boys as best we can" things
That may seem very small
The "you’ll feel valued for what you do” things
That make your cares much lighter,
The "there can be some F for Fun" things
That make your outlook brighter...
The "never mind the trouble" things,
The "yes, I understand,"
The interest and encouragement
In everything you've planned
It really is the little things,
The friendly word or smile,
That add such happiness to military life
And make it not seem such a pile.
T Letter 324/07 dated xxxx stated that the claiming of alcohol was permitted. It went on to state that "Local Commanders may wish to issue their own local guidance on the purchasing of alcohol". RAF ** at the time implemented regulations to mirror that of the Civil Service i.e up to half a bottle of wine per person or equivalent to be taken with the evening meal.
T Letter 324/07 has been withdrawn and the rules pertaining to the claiming of alcohol as detailed in JSP 752 Chapter 3 paragraph 0118 must be applied. The current entitlement as detailed in the JSP is "a claim for Daily Subsistence may include an alcoholic drink"
T Letter 324/07 has been withdrawn and the rules pertaining to the claiming of alcohol as detailed in JSP 752 Chapter 3 paragraph 0118 must be applied. The current entitlement as detailed in the JSP is "a claim for Daily Subsistence may include an alcoholic drink"
The 'original' little things by Mary Dawson Hughes:
It really is the little things
That mean the most of all...
The "let me help you with that" things
That may seem very small
The "I'll be glad to do it" things
That make your cares much lighter,
The "laugh with me, it's funny" things
That make your outlook brighter...
The "never mind the trouble" things,
The "yes, I understand,"
The interest and encouragement
In everything you've planned
It really is the little things,
The friendly word or smile,
That add such happiness to life
And make it more worth while.
The reality:
It really is the little things
That mean the most of all...
The "we’ll look after the boys as best we can" things
That may seem very small
The "you’ll feel valued for what you do” things
That make your cares much lighter,
The "there can be some F for Fun" things
That make your outlook brighter...
The "never mind the trouble" things,
The "yes, I understand,"
The interest and encouragement
In everything you've planned
It really is the little things,
The friendly word or smile,
That add such happiness to military life
And make it not seem such a pile.
Last edited by Wotta Dump; 24th Jul 2008 at 18:50.