PPRuNe Forums - UKIP Defence Policy Released

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Here is the latest UKIP Defence Spokesman's pledge...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9LT_q1CzEE

...wholly unimpressed with the delivery and content, although he is ex-RAF and Royal Engineer. Not a lot on current defence policy and all about veterans - popularist nonsense!

He also keeps 'giving the bird' with his left middle finger every time he adjusts his glasses!

iRaven

Oh dear. Unimpressed. Sounds like a Shop Steward, too. Am I the only one that couldn't find substance in his speech in respect of force structures and capabilities?

Although, I suppose, focussing on 'Veterans' (a dreadful term) at least they will be looking after our Reserve Forces at the same time:)

Well their Defence wallah must be a real asset; just what we need.
Mike Hookem MEP: Cameron is misleading us all over offensive ground operations in Iraq - UKIP

Quote:

Mike Hookem MEP, UKIP’s defence spokesman has today voiced grave concerns that David Cameron had ‘mislead both the public and parliament’ over ‘boots on the ground’ military operations in Iraq, following press reports this weekend that gave details of the Special Air Service (SAS) sniper missions against Islamic State (IS) targets in the region.

Now we, the Press and the rest of the World might speculate or make educated guesses but to make it "official" from an informed and reliable source doesn't seem very bright to me. Maybe I'm old fashioned, though. Still, he can make a political point, whatever the cost.

Am I missing something?

This is a synopsis, it seems, of their defence policy (from their website):

Honouring the Military Covenant

– We will resource fully our military assets and personnel.

– UKIP will guarantee those who have served in the Armed Forces for a minimum of 12 years a job in the police force, prison service or border force

– UKIP will change the points system for social housing to give priority to ex-service men and women and those returning from active service.

– A Veterans Department will bring together all veterans services to ensure servicemen and women get the after-service care they deserve.

– Veterans are to receive a Veterans’ Service Card to ensure they are fast tracked for mental health care and services, if needed.

– All entitlements will be extended to servicemen recruited from overseas.

– UKIP supports a National Service Medal for all those who have served in the armed forces.

Yea! Another (round) medal it seems...

From the UKIP Eastborne website (an extract):

Extend and develop reserve capabilities across all arms. The Territorial Army will offer places for those who do not wish to be deployed overseas, as well as those who do. An air national guard will be established.

Well, fill the TA with non-deployables. What on Earth would and ANG do?

Don't think the Defence Policy was "released", it probably escaped!

I don't think they actually need defence policy. Even the most ardent supporter cannot see them forming a government. In fact, they are not there to form a government, their policy is that the UK should leave the EU. Once that is achieved then they, as a political party, are no longer required.

Unless somebody tries to get back on the EU gravy train.

Once someone has created a political party and succeeded with it there's no chance they're going to dismantle it.

Whenurhappy, if you're missing something, then so am I. It looks like the MoD will be renamed the Ministry for Veterans, as there seems to be remarkably little regarding the serving armed forces, their equipment and how it will be deployed.

Let me start by saying, I don't like politicians of any persuasion.
I have no problem with the following:

Quote:

For my part, you can keep your national service medal.

Quote:

It looks like the MoD will be renamed the Ministry for Veterans, as there seems to be remarkably little regarding the serving armed forces, their equipment and how it will be deployed.

Quote:

– We will resource fully our military assets and personnel.

As a policy document, it wouldn't contain specifics on equipment, personnel and it's deployment, if the promise to fully resource our military assets and personnel is carried out, then that would be good enough for me. This would be better treatment than we have received in many a year.

Quote:

Quote:
– We will resource fully our military assets and personnel.
As a policy document, it wouldn't contain specifics on equipment, personnel and it's deployment, if the promise to fully resource our military assets and personnel is carried out, then that would be good enough for me. This would be better treatment than we have received in many a year.

What are the National Objectives? Retention of the Deterrent? Global operability and deployability? Leave NATO/Self defence only/forward base in the Gulf and Far East? Nothing. No vision, nothing. But I'll be looked after well when I leave, apparently.

Call me Mr Picky, but their Defence Policy, with respect to the 170,000-odd serving personnel and defence of the Realm, needs more than 8 words.

It's not a Defense policy -it's a bribe

No discussion of what , where , why and how much

the answer is

A) they are already giving way so much they couldn't afford any kit

B) they don't know anything about "abroad"

Who cares what their policies are. Their policies are filler, because people asked for them. The coming election will be like a proxy referendum on Europe in a way for UKIP. If they get a lot of seats, they can influence the Tories ( assuming) to the extent that they will give us an honest referendum. After that, their raison d'etre is gone and they will disappear.

Quote:

Many years ago I was chatting to a USAF reservist pilot who was flying F16s out of Aviano AFB in support of the Bosnia No Fly Zone. He was an airline pilot for his day job, but was a Lt Col in the Air National Guard as a "hobby". His unit had recently taken up the F16 in the ground attack role having previously flown the A10. He said that maintaining competency on the F16 was much harder than on the A10 due to the complexity of the aircraft and the 16 hours weekend flying per month that he was receiving was not enough.

I wonder if the same would apply to the GR4?

Surely the GR4 and our weather are not reliable enough to have a reserve pilot rock up on a Sunday afternoon and guarantee him or her a duty carried out. There’s the possibility that it could take him a few Sunday afternoons before you have any success.

Quote:

This is a synopsis, it seems, of their defence policy (from their website):
Honouring the Military Covenant

– We will resource fully our military assets and personnel.

– UKIP will guarantee those who have served in the Armed Forces for a minimum of 12 years a job in the police force, prison service or border force

– UKIP will change the points system for social housing to give priority to ex-service men and women and those returning from active service.

– A Veterans Department will bring together all veterans services to ensure servicemen and women get the after-service care they deserve.

– Veterans are to receive a Veterans’ Service Card to ensure they are fast tracked for mental health care and services, if needed.

– All entitlements will be extended to servicemen recruited from overseas.

– UKIP supports a National Service Medal for all those who have served in the armed forces.
Yea! Another (round) medal it seems...

From the UKIP Eastborne website (an extract):

Extend and develop reserve capabilities across all arms. The Territorial Army will offer places for those who do not wish to be deployed overseas, as well as those who do. An air national guard will be established.

Well, fill the TA with non-deployables. What on Earth would and ANG do?

I'm all for looking after vets when they leave and giving them re-employment opportunities. But is there really enough vacancies in the police force, prison service or border force for the number of troops leaving the Armed Forces every year?

There is no left and right, just top and bottom.

They're all liars and thieves.

It is not often that someone can be so cynical and so correct at the same time !