red arrows article
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red arrows article
Wales online news is running an article saying our 9 million pounds reds should be binned. The poll at the bottom is interesting tho.
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He could also consider axing 800 or so Army horses (together with ageing artillery pieces) or even the 13 million quid grant to The Welsh Language Board from the UK Government.
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The MP is Jonathan Edwards. These quotes are from his website:
"I am opposed to the militarisation of our county"
"As a long standing opponent of the Welsh Military Tactical Training Area which covers large parts of Carmarthenshire and allows aircraft to operate extremely low levels......."
"I will also campaign for the UK Government to conduct health studies in relation to hearing and cardio health as a result of low flying aircraft operations."
"I am also concerned for the civil liberties and privacy of the people of Carmarthenshire as a result of the land based air corridors."
"I am opposed to the militarisation of our county"
"As a long standing opponent of the Welsh Military Tactical Training Area which covers large parts of Carmarthenshire and allows aircraft to operate extremely low levels......."
"I will also campaign for the UK Government to conduct health studies in relation to hearing and cardio health as a result of low flying aircraft operations."
"I am also concerned for the civil liberties and privacy of the people of Carmarthenshire as a result of the land based air corridors."
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[QUOTE]Figures from the RAF obtained by Mr Edwards reveal the force spent £4.6m on pilots and technicians, £1.2m on aviation fuel, £400,000 on dye, and £2.6m on maintenance in 2009-10.[QUOTE]
No mention of a T&S burden
No mention of a T&S burden
Last edited by vecvechookattack; 10th Aug 2010 at 13:38.
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Let Wales go Independent then. Let them raise their own taxes and spend them on whatever their Assembly thinks is appropriate. They can fund their own defence if they want any and get no money from the Central Government funds. Let them go it alone if they want to!
The reason Johnathan Edwards can have his inane opinions is because we have a military that protects our freedom and way of life,Mr Edwards from another branch of the Looney left labour party should remember this.
A better saving would be to disband the Welsh,Scottish,and Northern Irland assembly's
A better saving would be to disband the Welsh,Scottish,and Northern Irland assembly's
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Amen to that
6f1
Speaking as one of the chosen ones (a jock obviously), I could not agree more with your sentiment. Yet another layer of expensive, inefficient, self important "public servants" to hoover up our rapidly disappearing public funds which could be better served propping up our beleaguered military, emergency services, health service and educators.
Speaking as one of the chosen ones (a jock obviously), I could not agree more with your sentiment. Yet another layer of expensive, inefficient, self important "public servants" to hoover up our rapidly disappearing public funds which could be better served propping up our beleaguered military, emergency services, health service and educators.
I'm not opposed to RAFAT on cost grounds.
However, I think RAFAT displays send the wrong signal in current times. It dilutes the message that we have a war going on in Afghanistan, where our people are being horribly killed and maimed for life.
At major sporting events where RAFAT currently displays, I would personally rather that public funds were spent on allowing disabled ex-servicemen to attend as VIPs, and that television coverage focused on them rather than the Red Arrows.
I don't wish to diminish the efforts of the Red Arrows - I just think that we should celebrate those who have made a bigger sacrifice.
However, I think RAFAT displays send the wrong signal in current times. It dilutes the message that we have a war going on in Afghanistan, where our people are being horribly killed and maimed for life.
At major sporting events where RAFAT currently displays, I would personally rather that public funds were spent on allowing disabled ex-servicemen to attend as VIPs, and that television coverage focused on them rather than the Red Arrows.
I don't wish to diminish the efforts of the Red Arrows - I just think that we should celebrate those who have made a bigger sacrifice.
Trim Stab
Do you know whether the sporting events have to pay for the Reds to attend?
What about the units who conduct ceremonial duties? Do you believe they should be axed? After all, being able to march or ride a horse has naff all to do with modern warfare. Neither does wearing a red tunic and a bearskin. Or being able to conduct silent continuity drill.
But all of this is PR - and good PR that helps recruiting.
If we're going to bin the funding of ceremonial duties and support to sporting events from the public purse then I would rather see the money going back towards a Defence Medical Service that doesn't have to rely on charity handouts to give longer term support to our wounded, and families of those killed, than giving the wounded the opportunity to be paraded at a 90 minute sporting event where those on the pitch earn more in a week than most Servicemen in a year.
Priorities. Long term care not short term glory.
Do you know whether the sporting events have to pay for the Reds to attend?
What about the units who conduct ceremonial duties? Do you believe they should be axed? After all, being able to march or ride a horse has naff all to do with modern warfare. Neither does wearing a red tunic and a bearskin. Or being able to conduct silent continuity drill.
But all of this is PR - and good PR that helps recruiting.
If we're going to bin the funding of ceremonial duties and support to sporting events from the public purse then I would rather see the money going back towards a Defence Medical Service that doesn't have to rely on charity handouts to give longer term support to our wounded, and families of those killed, than giving the wounded the opportunity to be paraded at a 90 minute sporting event where those on the pitch earn more in a week than most Servicemen in a year.
Priorities. Long term care not short term glory.
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Figures from the RAF obtained by Mr Edwards reveal the force spent £4.6m on pilots and technicians, £1.2m on aviation fuel, £400,000 on dye
Trying to explain the difference between cost and value to the likes of yer man Edwards would be totally pointless.
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Perhaps he should consider what would be the effect on the economy of a certain Welsh island if all the Hawks were to be moved elsewhere... I'm fairly sure Lossie or Kinloss would take the boost to the economy quite happily!
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After Anglesey Aluminium went, Valley, Wylfa and the port at Holyhead are the only real major employers in Anglesey.
...Only Virgin ever to come out of Holyhead was the train.
...Only Virgin ever to come out of Holyhead was the train.
Last edited by WannabeCrewman; 10th Aug 2010 at 20:31.
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In 93/94 when it was decided either Valley or Chivenor would go it was incredible how quickly 95% of North Wales changed their minds and wanted the Air Force to stay at Valley.
It’s strange because it happened immediately after the local press published what would happen to the Anglesey / North Wales economy if the millions of £’s contributed from Valley dried up.
It’s strange because it happened immediately after the local press published what would happen to the Anglesey / North Wales economy if the millions of £’s contributed from Valley dried up.
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From Jonathan Edwards' biography:
Another career politician with an arts degree and no proper job experience.
After completing his academic studies, Jonathan worked as Chief of staff for Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM and Adam Price MP for 7 years, where he led on political matters for both elected members. He has a wide understanding of Parliamentary and National Assembly politics.
I don't think much of the Reds' nav either, they managed to miss Chivenor completely today!!!
"Let Wales go Independent then. Let them raise their own taxes and spend them on whatever their Assembly thinks is appropriate. They can fund their own defence if they want any and get no money from the Central Government funds. Let them go it alone if they want to!"
Careful, that sounds like democracy to me you pinko.
Careful, that sounds like democracy to me you pinko.
Probably find all ceremonial /display units will be under close scrutiny now , after all the navy lost their historic flight a few years ago , now not funded by the taxpayer . Wouldnt want to see any of them go for sentimental reasons , but the figures on the Reds are interesting in that the mantra for a few years has been that they were self funding.