Uk Base Closures
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Biggus - Yes that would be how it worked if only those in the parts of Scotland affected could vote on issues that affected them but that isn't how it works.
Labour voters in other parts of Scotland read newspapers don't they?
Newspaper headlines say "Westminster to shut down Scottish bases", Scottish voters in constituencies outside of those affected vote against the party responsible, with the assistance of a little encouragement by nationalistic political parties de-crying it as "yet another blow against the Scottish by an England-centric parliament" or some such rot.
That is how these things actually work and as such whilst Labour may not have control of seats in the areas in which RAF bases are located they have seats and more importantly, marginal seats, in other parts of Scotland that would be affected.
Of course I'm sure you already knew all this but were mealy looking for a rise weren't you? Please tell me you aren't completely naive.
Labour voters in other parts of Scotland read newspapers don't they?
Newspaper headlines say "Westminster to shut down Scottish bases", Scottish voters in constituencies outside of those affected vote against the party responsible, with the assistance of a little encouragement by nationalistic political parties de-crying it as "yet another blow against the Scottish by an England-centric parliament" or some such rot.
That is how these things actually work and as such whilst Labour may not have control of seats in the areas in which RAF bases are located they have seats and more importantly, marginal seats, in other parts of Scotland that would be affected.
Of course I'm sure you already knew all this but were mealy looking for a rise weren't you? Please tell me you aren't completely naive.
Cunning Artificer
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strike capability replacement involving UCAV and cruise missiles
The proper use of UCAV's and cruise missiles is as a force multiplier, not a replacement. Now, how do you get to be an Air Vice Marshal without being able to explain that to a House of Commons Select Committee in simple plain English?
I think you'll actually find that, given the choice between living amongst the web-fingered dualling-banjo folk or the DFMB scoffers, 9 out of 10 owners whose cats expressed a preference would probably choose......
Bruggen!
Bruggen!
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Newspaper headlines say "Westminster to shut down Scottish bases", Scottish voters in constituencies outside of those affected vote against the party responsible, with the assistance of a little encouragement by nationalistic political parties de-crying it as "yet another blow against the Scottish by an England-centric parliament" or some such rot.
the web-fingered dualling-banjo folk or the DFMB scoffers
THS
Yes, totally naive...as you say
"...Newspaper headlines say "Westminster to shut down Scottish bases", Scottish voters in constituencies outside of those affected vote against the party responsible, with the assistance of a little encouragement by nationalistic political parties de-crying it as "yet another blow against the Scottish by an England-centric parliament" or some such rot...."
So, take this as a possible scenario. For whatever reason the plan is to close Kinloss. First of all we are talking one base, not Scottish BASES!
You announce it as part of a package which includes closure of facilities in England as well, MAKING THE POINT THAT SCOTLAND ISN'T BEING SINGLED OUT/VICTIMIZED. You play up the fact that Lossiemouth will be beefed up, overall job losses minimized by a considerate government, but belt tightening is required during the credit crunch, etc. You point out that if the SNP get their way all the bases in Scotland will close and it will be defenceless. You SPIN the release information in other words, and time the announcement carefully.
If you announce it a year or two before any major elections it will be forgotten about everywhere but the local area effected within a few days...
The majority of Labour votes in Scotland are now concentrated around Glasgow, in areas where peoples father and mothers, and grandfathers and grandmothers before them, all voted Labour. The core vote, which is the majority of what is left, will be in no way effected. What happens in Scotland north of Perth is of little interest to even the majority of Scots. The maps end there with pictagrams and warnings like "here be monsters"! The Scottish press (at least what I read) is not exactly violently anti Labour either. The Westminster Labour party is probably more anti Scottish Labour than the press is.
All in all, I very much doubt the Labour party consider themselves held hostages to fortune by the RAF bases in Scotland.
But then apparently I'm naive.
Oh - I also said (in my naiveity) earlier, that, if you want to save money in the short term, closing bases is not a good option....
Yes, totally naive...as you say
"...Newspaper headlines say "Westminster to shut down Scottish bases", Scottish voters in constituencies outside of those affected vote against the party responsible, with the assistance of a little encouragement by nationalistic political parties de-crying it as "yet another blow against the Scottish by an England-centric parliament" or some such rot...."
So, take this as a possible scenario. For whatever reason the plan is to close Kinloss. First of all we are talking one base, not Scottish BASES!
You announce it as part of a package which includes closure of facilities in England as well, MAKING THE POINT THAT SCOTLAND ISN'T BEING SINGLED OUT/VICTIMIZED. You play up the fact that Lossiemouth will be beefed up, overall job losses minimized by a considerate government, but belt tightening is required during the credit crunch, etc. You point out that if the SNP get their way all the bases in Scotland will close and it will be defenceless. You SPIN the release information in other words, and time the announcement carefully.
If you announce it a year or two before any major elections it will be forgotten about everywhere but the local area effected within a few days...
The majority of Labour votes in Scotland are now concentrated around Glasgow, in areas where peoples father and mothers, and grandfathers and grandmothers before them, all voted Labour. The core vote, which is the majority of what is left, will be in no way effected. What happens in Scotland north of Perth is of little interest to even the majority of Scots. The maps end there with pictagrams and warnings like "here be monsters"! The Scottish press (at least what I read) is not exactly violently anti Labour either. The Westminster Labour party is probably more anti Scottish Labour than the press is.
All in all, I very much doubt the Labour party consider themselves held hostages to fortune by the RAF bases in Scotland.
But then apparently I'm naive.
Oh - I also said (in my naiveity) earlier, that, if you want to save money in the short term, closing bases is not a good option....
Biggus,
What you have produced is "spin" and a certain amount of the "good day to bury bad news" type of politics we have seen for the last few years.
On the main topic, if bases are to close, a surefire way is to look see where most money has been spent, they're bound to go.
Still say it would make most sense to locate the Tonkas closer together so you can get you spares and stuff easier, who knows if they're close enough you could do away with an entire swathe of stn management, OC Ops, Fwd, Dpth, BSW et al.
What ever happens I'm not convinced that it will improve our capabilities but would stake my life on it saving money.
What you have produced is "spin" and a certain amount of the "good day to bury bad news" type of politics we have seen for the last few years.
On the main topic, if bases are to close, a surefire way is to look see where most money has been spent, they're bound to go.
Still say it would make most sense to locate the Tonkas closer together so you can get you spares and stuff easier, who knows if they're close enough you could do away with an entire swathe of stn management, OC Ops, Fwd, Dpth, BSW et al.
What ever happens I'm not convinced that it will improve our capabilities but would stake my life on it saving money.
"..On the main topic, if bases are to close, a surefire way is to look see where most money has been spent, they're bound to go...."
Leeming it is then....
Ministry of Defence | Defence News | Estate and Environment | Duchess of Cornwall opens new RAF accommodation
Leeming it is then....
Ministry of Defence | Defence News | Estate and Environment | Duchess of Cornwall opens new RAF accommodation
Insty,
Cut a swathe of management - are you mad man??? You know full well the plan is to cut engineering troops whilst boosting the numbers of Engineer Officers - FWD / Depth. I rest my case.
GR4 co-location? Marham and Honington anybody, rocks to Lossie?
Regards mate.
Cut a swathe of management - are you mad man??? You know full well the plan is to cut engineering troops whilst boosting the numbers of Engineer Officers - FWD / Depth. I rest my case.
GR4 co-location? Marham and Honington anybody, rocks to Lossie?
Regards mate.
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Its all about money
I think Biggus has made to most relevant comment. Before I was put out to grass, the project I was involved with investigated, indeed 'twas planned even, to base the new aircraft at a new base. All was going well until someone did the sums and found no agency had the money for the move. The costs might be recovered in 13 years or so through savings, so no-go and back to plan A.
There was an airfield study made was there not (I forget its title), the idea being to have 5 BIG airfields and sell the rest? What happened to that?
Regardless of whether it makes sense, logic or whatever, its all about money.
There was an airfield study made was there not (I forget its title), the idea being to have 5 BIG airfields and sell the rest? What happened to that?
Regardless of whether it makes sense, logic or whatever, its all about money.
