Wallace Resigns as Minister for Defence
We really are paddling in the shallow end of the talent pool these days aren’t we. Is there anyone in Cabinet that’s there by virtue of talent and hard work rather than who they know or favours bestowed / returned?
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After training as a cadet at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, in June 1991 Wallace was commissioned into the Scots Guards as a second lieutenant, with a short service commission. From 1991 to 1998, he served in Germany, Cyprus, Belize, and Northern Ireland.
Sums the whole thing up. Wallace knew what he was doing and had seen the consequences of Govt decisions on Defence from user point of view
Who in Government today has anything approaching a similar background in terms of relationship with what 'their' ministry does, several should face imprisonment for corruption or fraud, several others are just plain stupid or incompetent .
A shame Wallace has resigned but he must have felt like he was trying to push a block of ice up Mont Blanc in cabinet meetings . His replacement a chancer and liar , ideal with the parlous state of our defenses and the need to give at least the impression that we have a 'world class' military most of whom are probably feeling pretty depressed tonight -always doing their best (at least at 'working level') and getting precisous little in return, Often sunstandard equipment, poor conditions and crap service housing .
Sums the whole thing up. Wallace knew what he was doing and had seen the consequences of Govt decisions on Defence from user point of view
Who in Government today has anything approaching a similar background in terms of relationship with what 'their' ministry does, several should face imprisonment for corruption or fraud, several others are just plain stupid or incompetent .
A shame Wallace has resigned but he must have felt like he was trying to push a block of ice up Mont Blanc in cabinet meetings . His replacement a chancer and liar , ideal with the parlous state of our defenses and the need to give at least the impression that we have a 'world class' military most of whom are probably feeling pretty depressed tonight -always doing their best (at least at 'working level') and getting precisous little in return, Often sunstandard equipment, poor conditions and crap service housing .
The following 8 users liked this post by pax britanica:
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It is about time they did their jobs and elected those that are best for the Country and not a bunch of sycophants.
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Ooooah. I'm just reading Patrick Robinsons 'Ghost Force' and thought it quite poignant to read Wallace's letter...
"...I genuinely believe that over the next decade the world will get more insecure and more unstable. We both share the belief that now is the time to invest...!.."
"...I genuinely believe that over the next decade the world will get more insecure and more unstable. We both share the belief that now is the time to invest...!.."
Let’s hope we get a Zelensky or a Churchill when we need them then.
I think Boris rather fancied himself in the role but he really wasn’t fit to be in charge of a rubber duck in the bath without supervision.
I think Boris rather fancied himself in the role but he really wasn’t fit to be in charge of a rubber duck in the bath without supervision.
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pax britanica
The following Tory MPs might challenge that?
Tom Tugendhat MBE - TA Int Corps who has served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Top rank Lt Col.
Johnny Mercer - Royal Arty - also passed All Arms Cdo Course serving with 29 Cdo and 3 RHA. 3 tours in Afghanistan. Top rank Capt.
Penny Mordaunt - RNR. 9 years served. Recently made up to Captain RN.
Darren Henry - RAF. Joined as an Airman and rose to the rank of Sqn Ldr. Logistics Branch.
Leo Docherty - Scots Guards. Served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Top rank Capt.
John Baron - Fusilier. Served in NI, Cyprus and Germany. Top rank Capt.
Bob Stewart - Cheshire Regt. Served 27 years and retired as a Col. Saw action in NI and Bosnia.
Tobias Elwood - Royal Green Jackets. Top rank Captain.
James Sunderland - RLC retiring as a Col after 26 years of service across the globe.
James Cleverley - current TA in the Royal Arty. Has done nearly 30 years.
Ian Liddel-Granger - Fuslier. Major in the TA with 17 years service.
Jason McCartney - RAF. Admin Branch. 7 years and retired as Flt Lt.
Robert Seeley MBE - TA UKSF 9 years as a Captain.
Royston Smith - RAF as an engineer for 10 years.
James Heapey - Rifles. Served in Iraq, NI and Afghanistan. Retired as a Major.
Steve Baker - RAF. Engineering Officer. 10 years retiring as a Flt Lt.
There are others, but I can’t think of them right now. Any would be better suited in my humble opinion…
Who in Government today has anything approaching a similar background in terms of relationship with what 'their' ministry does
Tom Tugendhat MBE - TA Int Corps who has served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Top rank Lt Col.
Johnny Mercer - Royal Arty - also passed All Arms Cdo Course serving with 29 Cdo and 3 RHA. 3 tours in Afghanistan. Top rank Capt.
Penny Mordaunt - RNR. 9 years served. Recently made up to Captain RN.
Darren Henry - RAF. Joined as an Airman and rose to the rank of Sqn Ldr. Logistics Branch.
Leo Docherty - Scots Guards. Served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Top rank Capt.
John Baron - Fusilier. Served in NI, Cyprus and Germany. Top rank Capt.
Bob Stewart - Cheshire Regt. Served 27 years and retired as a Col. Saw action in NI and Bosnia.
Tobias Elwood - Royal Green Jackets. Top rank Captain.
James Sunderland - RLC retiring as a Col after 26 years of service across the globe.
James Cleverley - current TA in the Royal Arty. Has done nearly 30 years.
Ian Liddel-Granger - Fuslier. Major in the TA with 17 years service.
Jason McCartney - RAF. Admin Branch. 7 years and retired as Flt Lt.
Robert Seeley MBE - TA UKSF 9 years as a Captain.
Royston Smith - RAF as an engineer for 10 years.
James Heapey - Rifles. Served in Iraq, NI and Afghanistan. Retired as a Major.
Steve Baker - RAF. Engineering Officer. 10 years retiring as a Flt Lt.
There are others, but I can’t think of them right now. Any would be better suited in my humble opinion…
The following 3 users liked this post by Lima Juliet:
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pax britanica
The following Tory MPs might challenge that?
Tom Tugendhat MBE - TA Int Corps who has served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Top rank Lt Col.
Johnny Mercer - Royal Arty - also passed All Arms Cdo Course serving with 29 Cdo and 3 RHA. 3 tours in Afghanistan. Top rank Capt.
Penny Mordaunt - RNR. 9 years served. Recently made up to Captain RN.
Darren Henry - RAF. Joined as an Airman and rose to the rank of Sqn Ldr. Logistics Branch.
Leo Docherty - Scots Guards. Served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Top rank Capt.
John Baron - Fusilier. Served in NI, Cyprus and Germany. Top rank Capt.
Bob Stewart - Cheshire Regt. Served 27 years and retired as a Col. Saw action in NI and Bosnia.
Tobias Elwood - Royal Green Jackets. Top rank Captain.
James Sunderland - RLC retiring as a Col after 26 years of service across the globe.
James Cleverley - current TA in the Royal Arty. Has done nearly 30 years.
Ian Liddel-Granger - Fuslier. Major in the TA with 17 years service.
Jason McCartney - RAF. Admin Branch. 7 years and retired as Flt Lt.
Robert Seeley MBE - TA UKSF 9 years as a Captain.
Royston Smith - RAF as an engineer for 10 years.
James Heapey - Rifles. Served in Iraq, NI and Afghanistan. Retired as a Major.
Steve Baker - RAF. Engineering Officer. 10 years retiring as a Flt Lt.
There are others, but I can’t think of them right now. Any would be better suited in my humble opinion…
The following Tory MPs might challenge that?
Tom Tugendhat MBE - TA Int Corps who has served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Top rank Lt Col.
Johnny Mercer - Royal Arty - also passed All Arms Cdo Course serving with 29 Cdo and 3 RHA. 3 tours in Afghanistan. Top rank Capt.
Penny Mordaunt - RNR. 9 years served. Recently made up to Captain RN.
Darren Henry - RAF. Joined as an Airman and rose to the rank of Sqn Ldr. Logistics Branch.
Leo Docherty - Scots Guards. Served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Top rank Capt.
John Baron - Fusilier. Served in NI, Cyprus and Germany. Top rank Capt.
Bob Stewart - Cheshire Regt. Served 27 years and retired as a Col. Saw action in NI and Bosnia.
Tobias Elwood - Royal Green Jackets. Top rank Captain.
James Sunderland - RLC retiring as a Col after 26 years of service across the globe.
James Cleverley - current TA in the Royal Arty. Has done nearly 30 years.
Ian Liddel-Granger - Fuslier. Major in the TA with 17 years service.
Jason McCartney - RAF. Admin Branch. 7 years and retired as Flt Lt.
Robert Seeley MBE - TA UKSF 9 years as a Captain.
Royston Smith - RAF as an engineer for 10 years.
James Heapey - Rifles. Served in Iraq, NI and Afghanistan. Retired as a Major.
Steve Baker - RAF. Engineering Officer. 10 years retiring as a Flt Lt.
There are others, but I can’t think of them right now. Any would be better suited in my humble opinion…
OND probably more difficult than you believe
What is wrong with a OND in business studies course? Probably more useful than a lot of A level courses.
Course content used to be Economics, Economic History. Economic Geography, Accountancy, Stats, Computing, Law, Sociology/Psych. Bus.English etc.
Plus need to complete a dissertation.
Due to the level course was taught at -- could take A levels in Law, Economics, Stats and Accountancy.
No retakes in final year -- if failed one exam -- you failed the complete course. Had to resit the whole 2 yrs again.
Students taken out of exam room just before exam starts if failed previous exam.
Lead away from the desk they were sitting to start the exam -- sometimes seconds just before exam about to start.
Need to be highly motivated to do course and pay for your own books, writing material and any other course material.
Plus not a school environment more like a uni – down to you to pass or fail.
Note you needed a minimum of 5 O levels to get on course -- which in the 1970s was the same to apply for a commission in the forces.
Course content used to be Economics, Economic History. Economic Geography, Accountancy, Stats, Computing, Law, Sociology/Psych. Bus.English etc.
Plus need to complete a dissertation.
Due to the level course was taught at -- could take A levels in Law, Economics, Stats and Accountancy.
No retakes in final year -- if failed one exam -- you failed the complete course. Had to resit the whole 2 yrs again.
Students taken out of exam room just before exam starts if failed previous exam.
Lead away from the desk they were sitting to start the exam -- sometimes seconds just before exam about to start.
Need to be highly motivated to do course and pay for your own books, writing material and any other course material.
Plus not a school environment more like a uni – down to you to pass or fail.
Note you needed a minimum of 5 O levels to get on course -- which in the 1970s was the same to apply for a commission in the forces.
Last edited by mikeoneflying; 1st Sep 2023 at 06:55. Reason: a sentence
pax britanica
The following Tory MPs might challenge that?
Tom Tugendhat MBE - TA Int Corps who has served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Top rank Lt Col.
Johnny Mercer - Royal Arty - also passed All Arms Cdo Course serving with 29 Cdo and 3 RHA. 3 tours in Afghanistan. Top rank Capt.
Penny Mordaunt - RNR. 9 years served. Recently made up to Captain RN.
Darren Henry - RAF. Joined as an Airman and rose to the rank of Sqn Ldr. Logistics Branch.
Leo Docherty - Scots Guards. Served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Top rank Capt.
John Baron - Fusilier. Served in NI, Cyprus and Germany. Top rank Capt.
Bob Stewart - Cheshire Regt. Served 27 years and retired as a Col. Saw action in NI and Bosnia.
Tobias Elwood - Royal Green Jackets. Top rank Captain.
James Sunderland - RLC retiring as a Col after 26 years of service across the globe.
James Cleverley - current TA in the Royal Arty. Has done nearly 30 years.
Ian Liddel-Granger - Fuslier. Major in the TA with 17 years service.
Jason McCartney - RAF. Admin Branch. 7 years and retired as Flt Lt.
Robert Seeley MBE - TA UKSF 9 years as a Captain.
Royston Smith - RAF as an engineer for 10 years.
James Heapey - Rifles. Served in Iraq, NI and Afghanistan. Retired as a Major.
Steve Baker - RAF. Engineering Officer. 10 years retiring as a Flt Lt.
There are others, but I can’t think of them right now. Any would be better suited in my humble opinion…
The following Tory MPs might challenge that?
Tom Tugendhat MBE - TA Int Corps who has served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Top rank Lt Col.
Johnny Mercer - Royal Arty - also passed All Arms Cdo Course serving with 29 Cdo and 3 RHA. 3 tours in Afghanistan. Top rank Capt.
Penny Mordaunt - RNR. 9 years served. Recently made up to Captain RN.
Darren Henry - RAF. Joined as an Airman and rose to the rank of Sqn Ldr. Logistics Branch.
Leo Docherty - Scots Guards. Served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Top rank Capt.
John Baron - Fusilier. Served in NI, Cyprus and Germany. Top rank Capt.
Bob Stewart - Cheshire Regt. Served 27 years and retired as a Col. Saw action in NI and Bosnia.
Tobias Elwood - Royal Green Jackets. Top rank Captain.
James Sunderland - RLC retiring as a Col after 26 years of service across the globe.
James Cleverley - current TA in the Royal Arty. Has done nearly 30 years.
Ian Liddel-Granger - Fuslier. Major in the TA with 17 years service.
Jason McCartney - RAF. Admin Branch. 7 years and retired as Flt Lt.
Robert Seeley MBE - TA UKSF 9 years as a Captain.
Royston Smith - RAF as an engineer for 10 years.
James Heapey - Rifles. Served in Iraq, NI and Afghanistan. Retired as a Major.
Steve Baker - RAF. Engineering Officer. 10 years retiring as a Flt Lt.
There are others, but I can’t think of them right now. Any would be better suited in my humble opinion…
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You praise Wallace, but he was on watch when CAS introduced the none white male recruiting policy for the RAF and he didn't stop it?
Plus, why did he not order 5 Rivet Joints instead of 3 which would have cost peanuts to procure? Where are the F35's that we are supposed to acquire and where are they going to be based?
Not convinced any of the recent politicians have the countries defence at heart!
Plus, why did he not order 5 Rivet Joints instead of 3 which would have cost peanuts to procure? Where are the F35's that we are supposed to acquire and where are they going to be based?
Not convinced any of the recent politicians have the countries defence at heart!
After training as a cadet at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, in June 1991 Wallace was commissioned into the Scots Guards as a second lieutenant, with a short service commission. From 1991 to 1998, he served in Germany, Cyprus, Belize, and Northern Ireland.
Sums the whole thing up. Wallace knew what he was doing and had seen the consequences of Govt decisions on Defence from user point of view
Who in Government today has anything approaching a similar background in terms of relationship with what 'their' ministry does, several should face imprisonment for corruption or fraud, several others are just plain stupid or incompetent .
A shame Wallace has resigned but he must have felt like he was trying to push a block of ice up Mont Blanc in cabinet meetings . His replacement a chancer and liar , ideal with the parlous state of our defenses and the need to give at least the impression that we have a 'world class' military most of whom are probably feeling pretty depressed tonight -always doing their best (at least at 'working level') and getting precisous little in return, Often sunstandard equipment, poor conditions and crap service housing .
Sums the whole thing up. Wallace knew what he was doing and had seen the consequences of Govt decisions on Defence from user point of view
Who in Government today has anything approaching a similar background in terms of relationship with what 'their' ministry does, several should face imprisonment for corruption or fraud, several others are just plain stupid or incompetent .
A shame Wallace has resigned but he must have felt like he was trying to push a block of ice up Mont Blanc in cabinet meetings . His replacement a chancer and liar , ideal with the parlous state of our defenses and the need to give at least the impression that we have a 'world class' military most of whom are probably feeling pretty depressed tonight -always doing their best (at least at 'working level') and getting precisous little in return, Often sunstandard equipment, poor conditions and crap service housing .
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Shameful. but politics always attracts the worst venal people in society
It's apparently mysteriously appearing as it's not on his birth or marriage certificates.
Asked about the puzzling middle initial, Shapps was quoted in the Sun: “Jokingly, my parents once suggested I call myself ‘Five’ because I don’t have a middle name
Mainly (but not exclusively) because ethe Treasury would not allow 'enhancement' - so we replaced 3 Nimrod Rs with 3 RC135. Same for getting 9 P-8s, as that was the final force structure for MRA4
gosh, 5 O levels, a HND and you're the defence secretary.... good luck UK
Oh and his love-in with with EASA was probably due to the "close" friendship of the then exec Dir... who, after failing to get back to the french cabinet has disappeared off to singapore, god help them as well...
Oh and his love-in with with EASA was probably due to the "close" friendship of the then exec Dir... who, after failing to get back to the french cabinet has disappeared off to singapore, god help them as well...