“Every man thinks meanly of himself for not having been a soldier, or not having been at sea.” Dr Johnson’s observation has stood the test of time – but is a poor basis for civilian, parliamentary government.
Forcing the Forces to fall into line with civilian-based dogma concerning gender, race and sexual-orientation quotas, as well as equality of opportunity in combat zones, has been a two-decades’ long waste of time.
This Government is committed to championing the needs of those who have given so much, and will continue to build on the huge strides already taken to genuinely improve veterans’ care across the United Kingdom.
Mounting domestic pressures and tight budgets mean defence is likely doomed to always look like an easy cut when election time draws near.
The Defence Secretary said “the real battle for defence” will come in the Comprehensive Spending Review in 2024-25, and “I’m not sure I’ll be here in two years”.
The APPG’s survey of ex-servicemen and women will reveal where current support systems are falling short of the first-class standards we expect.
We trust those who served in arms, or in uniform, with great authority and significant power. They must be held to the highest standards.
As it never attracted as much ire as Iraq we may never see a proper inquiry into a decades-long, £27.7 billion failure.
Warm words about those serving oversees ring hollow when their families are shivering in sub-standard accommodation.
The conventional war on the Central European landmass unfolding before us is a massive international event – comparable in security terms to a 9/11.
The ONS published data in March showing that they face the highest risk of death from Covid-19, more than any other occupation.
General Sir Nick Carter says: “I think it’s a very challenging question. It slightly depends on how Afghanistan turns out.”
Our introduction to: what each Bill is, the politics of it, who’s responsible, arguments for and against – and a controversy rating out of ten.
It can become the best again, but only if the land forces element is revisited in the Government’s proposal.
If we are to keep our nation safe, our adversaries deterred, and our allies reassured, we now urgently require full-scale reform of the way we be buy and support our fighting equipment.