Election choices based on defence.
Election - "defence" - clearly we need a megalomaniac dictator with aspirations to take over the world, or perhaps not - I am with Adm West though, if the nation cannot defend its borders and overseas responsibilities, the rest does not add up to a row of beans
Administrator
a. Does the public mood in the UK advocate reducing overseas responsibilities?
b. Do you have any of the neo-isolationist sorts that we grow over here in random crops to produce die hard Libertarians? (Ron Paul being the foremost but not only example).
c. MPA evolved in our Navy into a multi role platform. The P-3 deployments in the 00's were not like the P-3 deployments of the 70's and 80's and 90's, in terms of equipment and mission. I will guess that Nimrod's roles likewise evolved. Is there another means available to achieve the end of surveillance necessary for the British Isles? (If that's not appropriate for public discussion, please advise me by PM that an answer won't be forthcoming).
Our special relationship will hopefully survive the lack of enthusiasm our current President has for all things British.
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T28B, I think Joe Public does think overseas aid is money wasted. Now our aid is guaranteed and ring fenced. Quite where it goes is less than transparent to most people with many thinking it ends up in Swiss bank accounts or is used to displace domestic expenditure so they can spend money on armaments. I think India was a case in point.
I make the point that this is what people think, not necessarily the truth
I make the point that this is what people think, not necessarily the truth
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Back on thread, I think probably the Labour party will be better for the welfare of the UK armed forces. Say what you like, last time around the standard of living accommodation on many bases improved massively for one thing alone, in my experience. Perhaps Labour are or were just politically a little closer to the troops/ratings/cannon fodder and cared a little bit more about them (whatever you may think of Labour)? Certainly its the Labour constituencies that are consistently asked to supply the majority of the players.
But I concede defence is not on anyone's radar this time around except probably SNP's (scrapping or rather removing Trident from the Clyde being I think a firm pledge).
Conservatives no longer seem to be the party of the armed forces the way we traditionally thought they were. They have been most savage in their slicing up of the serviceman's salami.
But I concede defence is not on anyone's radar this time around except probably SNP's (scrapping or rather removing Trident from the Clyde being I think a firm pledge).
Conservatives no longer seem to be the party of the armed forces the way we traditionally thought they were. They have been most savage in their slicing up of the serviceman's salami.
Really? You imagine that some spending on infra, etc, had anything to do with a particular government or any decisions it took?
As that government's cuts and those of the more recent one have bitten, infra spending has almost stopped. Don't confuse that with government decisions.
As that government's cuts and those of the more recent one have bitten, infra spending has almost stopped. Don't confuse that with government decisions.
I had a long chat with my labour candidate yesterday. I asked about Trident replacement and he said it was important to retain our independent nuclear deterrent because of the uncertainty created by groups like IS (honestly!). He also said that the deterrent enabled us to have a greater say in international affairs and to 'punch above our weight'. So there you have it, according to Labour a status symbol which has a secondary effect of deterring some radical terrorists (or vice versa). I'm waiting to quiz my Conservative candidate on his views and will report back soon!
kintyred - better be quick. In 7 days time the politicos will be scuttling back to Westminster (or not) and won't be at all interested in talking to the general populace / great unwashed for another 5 years! 
You're lucky getting to speak to one of the candidates. We haven't seen any of them let alone talk to them. Other than a single leaflet from each of the Con, Lab and UKIP candidates, nothing. Zilch. Nada. No posters, placards or signs, nothing. In fact you'd barely notice there was an election on here.
With such dedication to their potential constituents, why on earth should anybody bother voting. At least UKIP put the effort in to getting names and addresses so their leaflets were addressed to a named individual. Useless the lot of them and they'll all cock it up for Defence in their own unique manner.
With such dedication to their potential constituents, why on earth should anybody bother voting. At least UKIP put the effort in to getting names and addresses so their leaflets were addressed to a named individual. Useless the lot of them and they'll all cock it up for Defence in their own unique manner.
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Really? You imagine that some spending on infra, etc, had anything to do with a particular government or any decisions it took?
As that government's cuts and those of the more recent one have bitten, infra spending has almost stopped. Don't confuse that with government decisions.
Its just something I noticed in the years 1997 to 2010. A lot of the bases I worked or transited through really did improve a lot under Labour. Co-incidence? Maybe Labour are closer to the troops welfare, where as the Conservatives like to think they represent only the Officers? Or want to associate more with the Officers?
Certainly the emphasis in the upgrade in accommodation at Culdrose was aimed at JR level first (in this time period). The young officers got a really bum deal out of it (last to get upgraded). *Didn't Dennis Healey visit Culdrose when SoSfD and describe it as a slum, in the 1960's? And triggered the first rebuild (botched totally by Laings?).
As that government's cuts and those of the more recent one have bitten, infra spending has almost stopped. Don't confuse that with government decisions.
Its just something I noticed in the years 1997 to 2010. A lot of the bases I worked or transited through really did improve a lot under Labour. Co-incidence? Maybe Labour are closer to the troops welfare, where as the Conservatives like to think they represent only the Officers? Or want to associate more with the Officers?
Certainly the emphasis in the upgrade in accommodation at Culdrose was aimed at JR level first (in this time period). The young officers got a really bum deal out of it (last to get upgraded). *Didn't Dennis Healey visit Culdrose when SoSfD and describe it as a slum, in the 1960's? And triggered the first rebuild (botched totally by Laings?).
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The polls at present seem to indicate no one party forming up a majority, so maybe another coalition forming up. The legacies of two opposing heavyweights seem to have hung over this election and almost cancelled each other out (Thatcher and Blair). We are in for a multi coloured jigsaw piece of an electoral map to emerge, and maybe in a way, in these very different days, that's not too bad a thing?
Because y'know outside of the Defence Communities as I call them, ordinary people look up and they don't see the Nazi planes coming over the horizon, or even see Reds under the bed anymore, possibly they feel the Islamic threat over-hyped, that the recent almost continuous warfighting was just a waste of money and blood,and perhaps that's why defence just isn't an issue this time around.
Because y'know outside of the Defence Communities as I call them, ordinary people look up and they don't see the Nazi planes coming over the horizon, or even see Reds under the bed anymore, possibly they feel the Islamic threat over-hyped, that the recent almost continuous warfighting was just a waste of money and blood,and perhaps that's why defence just isn't an issue this time around.
Hangar,
As a general rule it goes something like this.
When there is money in the system to improve military accommodation, the first to be upgraded is that of the junior ranks, then that of the SNCOs, then they run out of money before they finally get around to the officers accommodation.
20 years later, when there is money.................
20 years later, when there is money..............
As a general rule it goes something like this.
When there is money in the system to improve military accommodation, the first to be upgraded is that of the junior ranks, then that of the SNCOs, then they run out of money before they finally get around to the officers accommodation.
20 years later, when there is money.................
20 years later, when there is money..............
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Yep, I think your right there Biggus. The officers accomm. at Culdrose was an utter disgrace for years. Yeovilton's was rebuilt and better if a bit basic but apparently not enough of it, still.
The lads was always the first/best, which is hard to begrudge of course.
The lads was always the first/best, which is hard to begrudge of course.
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What a sorry lot, shabby jacket, belly over waist, skinny jeans, nice dress and flip flops, Tattershall shirts and gillet. The last wore a Sun hat, cravat, blazer, fkanel slacks and umbrella. He was the only one with any charisma.
His party?
Monster Raving Loony Party.
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Shot I hope not, I wouldn't dare tell anyone to do that, who to vote for. probably in the past I used to lean over to Labour and even the Liberals as a tactical anti-Thatcher vote, but I'm totally baffled who to vote for this time around. If a credible one nation intelligent fiscally savvy Tory party ever stood up again I would even dare have a look at that as well, but dear old Margaret did for them/that concept years ago. Leave it to you all, we get what we deserve. I spend most of my time abroad these days anyway.
Singapore seems to have had the best leaders in recent times someone was saying on the telly-from cheap manufacturing coolies to a University educated class living in a super city in 40 odd years.....how come?
Singapore seems to have had the best leaders in recent times someone was saying on the telly-from cheap manufacturing coolies to a University educated class living in a super city in 40 odd years.....how come?
