Dear Chief Secretary to the Treasury, I'm afraid to tell you there's no money left. Signed, Liam Byrne (Outgoing Labour Chief Secretary to the Treasury. May 2010)
Between 10th July and 31st October 1940 a battle raged in the skies above Britain, mostly over England. Parts of the country were flattened by German blitz bombing, which is why the centres of some port towns and cities, for example Liverpool and Southampton, have so few ancient buildings.
During the 'Battle of Britain' the country was protected by "The Few",
'The Few' were 2,353 young men from Great Britain and 574 from overseas, pilots and other aircrew, who are officially recognised as having taken part in the Battle of Britain.
Each flew at least one authorised operational sortie with an eligible unit of the Royal Air Force or Fleet Air Arm during the period 10 July to 31 October 1940.
A further 791 were killed in action or died in the course of their duties before the wars end ...
In a speech to the House of Commons on 20th August 1940 Churchill praised these young men
"Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few".
Some today would have us forget those times, and forget the astonishing and selfless bravery of those 2,927 men. Mrs Rigby can't forget, because she wasn't alive then, but she is very aware of the importance of those battles and is also aware of what might have happened to Britain had we lost the war.
Some say we are still fighting a battle for Britain, others say there's no point because politicians have surrendered our sovereignty to Europe. But, well, this is Britain after all, and we don't take kindly to takeover bids, no matter how subtle they may be.
So let's remember those brave Airmen, and their ground crews, and the men in the factories who worked long hours to make the planes, and the munitions workers who made the bombs and bullets. Let's also remember the men and women of the Civil Defence and all other non-combatants who 'did their bit' when called upon to protect this country from harm - and they did it without computers too!
We Rigbys would like to say, "Thank you," and would like to share these two videos.
This is a "Battle of Britain. Tribute to the Few" with music 'Conquest of Paradise' by Vangelis.
The Daily Telegraph outlines what is contained within each party's manifesto. Mrs Rigby cast an eye over each one and particularly noted what each party says about Defence.
One of the things she was hoping to see was a pay rise, because she was quite shocked the other day to hear that young soldiers earn £6k less than their civilian equivalents in the Police and Fire Service.
Here are the bare bones of the manifestos from the Telegraph.
Liberal Democrats would "make the welfare of the men and women of our armed forces a priority."
Key defence policies are:
* Cancelling Eurofighter Tranche 3b
* Holding an immediate Strategic Security and Defence Review
* Ruling out the like-for-like replacement of Trident nuclear weapons system - planning to save £100bn
* Giving a pay rise to the lower ranks to bring them in link with other emergency services
* Doubling the rate of modernisation of forces' family homes
* Reducing the numbers of MoD staff and top brass officers
* Military action against Iran ruled out categorically
... their top defence priority will be to "repair the broken Military Covenant"
Specific defence policies include:
* Doubling the operational bonus for troops serving in Afghanistan
* Ensuring that Forces' families and veterans are taken care of
* Tracking and monitoring veterans' mental health after they leave the Armed Forces
* Launching a Strategic Defence Review
* Maximising efficiency in the Ministry of Defence
* Streamlining the procurement process
The SNP says this about Defence and International Affairs. They will
*Press the Government to spend 0.7 per cent of Britain’s national wealth on international aid.
*Call for armed forces personnel recruited in Scotland to be based as close to home as possible.
*A review of the UK’s military strategy and approach in Afghanistan.
*Scrap Britain’s current Trident nuclear submarines and plans for their replacement.
*Set up a Scottish Centre for Reconciliation and Conflict Resolution to promote peaceful alternatives to armed conflict.
There is something about 'terrorism' within the 'Foreign' section - but no section entitled 'Defence'.
Mr Brown and Harriet Harman/Dromey have, if you recall, accused other parties of intending to axe services that aren't specifically mentioned within their manifestos - they have talked about bus passes, dental care, eye tests, cold weather payments and so on.
Mrs Rigby uses their own reasoning and, because there is no Defence Policy within the Labour Party's manifesto (as published in the Telegraph) she must assume that, if they win the coming election, they will axe the military and we will no longer have an Army, Navy or Air Force.
Could this be a tobacco-pipe-smoke moment?
What do you think?
Is this omission an editorial error by the Telegraph, or does Labour truly not have a Defence manifesto?
Operational Honours and Awards List: 19 March 2010
AFGHANISTAN
George Cross (GC)
Staff Sergeant Kim Spencer HUGHES, The Royal Logistic Corps
Staff Sergeant Olaf Sean George SCHMID, The Royal Logistic Corps (Killed in action)
(their 'story' here)
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Brigadier David Arthur HOOK, Royal Marines
Colonel Greville Kenneth BIBBY, MBE, late Coldstream Guards
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Lieutenant Colonel Simon James BANTON, The Mercian Regiment
Lieutenant Colonel Charles Simon CALDER, The Royal Anglian Regiment
Lieutenant Colonel Michael Robin James CAMPBELL, The Royal Logistic Corps
Lieutenant Colonel Stephen John CARTWRIGHT, The Royal Regiment of Scotland
Acting Colonel Douglas McKenzie CHALMERS, MBE, The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Staff Sergeant Thomas Edward John BRENNAN, Royal Army Medical Corps
Major Oliver Jerome KINGSBURY, The Parachute Regiment
Major Eldon Nicholas Somervile MILLAR, Corps of Royal Engineers
Major Samuel Joseph PLANT, The Light Dragoons
Bar to Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Lieutenant Colonel Angus George Costeker FAIR, DSO, The Light Dragoons
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Major Giles Richard HARRIS, MBE, Welsh Guards
Brigadier Timothy Buchan RADFORD, OBE, late The Light Infantry
Acting Colonel Robert John THOMSON, MBE, The Rifles
Associate Royal Red Cross Medal (ARRC)
Captain Gail Lesley WHITTLE, Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps
Conspicuous Gallantry Cross (CGC)
Sergeant Alan Gordon DENNIS, The Mercian Regiment
Gunner Steven William GADSBY, The Royal Regiment of Artillery
Sergeant Marc Kevin GILES, The Mercian Regiment
Serjeant Jaime MONCHO, The Rifles
Lance Bombardier Gary PROUT, The Royal Regiment of Artillery
Lance Corporal Kyle Patrick SMITH, The Mercian Regiment
Military Cross (MC)
Warrant Officer Class 2 Mathew Robert TOMLINSON, CGC, Royal Marines
Corporal Craig ADKIN, The Mercian Regiment
Captain Edward Robert BROWN, The Mercian Regiment
Major Jo BUTTERFILL, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers
Corporal Steven Graham CHILDS, The Rifles
Corporal Richard CLARK, The Royal Regiment of Scotland
Major Neil Darren GRANT, The Mercian Regiment
Lieutenant Tresham Dames Rowley GREGG, The Light Dragoons
Major Karl Christian HICKMAN, The Rifles
Lieutenant William James Archie HIGNETT, The Rifles
Private Alexander Robert KENNEDY, The Mercian Regiment
Corporal Paul Edward MATHER, Army Air Corps
Lieutenant Alexander John PHILLIPS, The Royal Regiment of Scotland
Corporal Christopher Sean REYNOLDS, The Royal Regiment of Scotland
Corporal Craig Richard SHARP, The Royal Regiment of Scotland
Lance Corporal Alexander James SMITH, The Parachute Regiment
Warrant Officer Class 2 Simon Nicholas THOMPSON, The Rifles
Lance Sergeant Matthew Philip TURRALL, Irish Guards
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
Flight Lieutenant Marc Alan HEAL, Royal Air Force
George Medal (GM)
Rifleman Paul Raymond JACOBS, The Rifles
Captain Daniel Marc SHEPHERD, The Royal Logistic Corps (Killed in action)
Queen's Gallantry Medal (QGM)
Warrant Officer Class 2 Peter John BURNEY, The Rifles
Captain Wayne Edward James OWERS, The Royal Logistic Corps
Corporal Carl Peter THOMAS, The Rifles
Lance Corporal David James TIMMINS, The Royal Logistic Corps
Mention in Despatches (MiD)
Acting Sergeant Sean Conor BINNIE, The Royal Regiment of Scotland (Killed in action)
Corporal Samisoni Naisabo BOILA, The Royal Regiment of Scotland
Lieutenant Robert Alexander Macpherson BUCHANAN, The Rifles
Captain Owen Alastair Ralph CANDY, The Royal Regiment of Artillery
Warrant Officer Class 2 Paul David COLVILLE, The Royal Regiment of Scotland
Rifleman Gary CRANE, The Rifles
Lieutenant Mark Alexander CRIPPS, The Rifles
Sergeant Grant Leslie CUTHBERTSON, The Light Dragoons
Warrant Officer Class 2 Mark Andrew DOBBS, The Light Dragoons
Lieutenant Christopher Stuart Nicholas FENTON, Welsh Guards
Lance Corporal Buddhibahadur GURUNG, The Royal Gurkha Rifles
Lieutenant Duncan Simon Whittick HADLAND, The Mercian Regiment
Lieutenant Andrew John HALLIDAY, The Royal Regiment of Scotland
Sergeant Darren Justin HANRAHAN, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers
Rifleman Kevin HOLT, The Rifles
Captain Howard Robert HOOPER, Corps of Royal Engineers
Corporal Paul INNES, The Royal Regiment of Scotland
Lance Corporal Christopher Paul JAKEMAN, The Rifles
Sergeant Jamie Stuart LAWSON, The Light Dragoons
Lance Corporal Rhodri Wyn LODWICK, Welsh Guards
Sergeant Terence Albert LOWE, The Royal Regiment of Scotland
Sapper James Ewan MCINTOSH, Corps of Royal Engineers
Sergeant Andrew Peter MCNULTY, The Mercian Regiment
Lance Corporal Nigel David MOFFETT, The Light Dragoons (Killed in action)
Private Edwin Goitseone MOTETE, The Royal Logistic Corps
Warrant Officer Class 2 Paul Simon MUCKLE, The Mercian Regiment
Captain Matthew Bromley O'HARE, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers
Lance Sergeant Michael Ellis PARRY, Welsh Guards
Rifleman Prakash PUN, The Royal Gurkha Rifles
Lance Corporal Tilakkumar RAI, The Royal Gurkha Rifles
Sergeant Gary Richard REYNOLDS, Corps of Royal Engineers
Private Lauren Louise RICHARDS, Royal Army Medical Corps
Corporal Anthony RICHARDSON, The Light Dragoons
Corporal David Joseph ROY, The Royal Regiment of Scotland
Guardsman Lee SKATES, Welsh Guards
Major Alasdair Fortune Lyon STEELE, The Royal Regiment of Scotland
Lance Corporal Matthew Paul TURNER, The Parachute Regiment
Lance Corporal Matthew David VITEL, The Rifles
Major Richard David WALLWORK, The Royal Regiment of Artillery
Rifleman Daniel Christopher WILD, The Rifles (Killed in action)
Flight Lieutenant David James GRINDAL, Royal Air Force
Flight Lieutenant Adrian PARKINSON, Royal Air Force
Queen's Commendation for Bravery (QCB)
Rifleman Edward Kenneth William BENTON, The Rifles
Corporal Leslie John BINNS, The Light Dragoons
Lance Corporal Sally Patricia CLARKE, Royal Army Medical Corps
Rifleman Ricky Dean EDGAR, The Rifles
Rifleman Robert Craig FLANAGAN, The Rifles
Lieutenant Charles James Richard FRASER-SAMPSON, Welsh Guards
Captain Judith Lorna GALLAGHER, The Royal Logistic Corps
Rifleman Liam John HARGREAVES, The Rifles
Fusilier Rory HUGHES, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers
Corporal Timothy Kenneth JONES, Corps of Royal Engineers
Corporal Ian Paul PASCALL, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers
Corporal Henry Edward SANDAY, The Rifles
Sapper Matthew Robert WESTON, Corps of Royal Engineers
Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service (QCVS)
Surgeon Commander Sarah Ann STAPLEY, Royal Navy
Acting Captain Michael James BRIGHAM, The Mercian Regiment
Private Charlotte Angharad BUTLER, Royal Army Medical Corps
Lieutenant Aloysius Coleman CONNOLLY, The Royal Gurkha Rifles
Captain James Alexander CORBET BURCHER, Welsh Guards
Captain Mark Robert CRANLEY, Royal Army Medical Corps
Warrant Officer Class 2 Andrew DAVIDSON, Adjutant General's Corps (Royal Military Police)
Major Darren John DENNING, The Rifles
Major Robert Woodd GALLIMORE, Welsh Guards
Captain Mark James HALE, The Rifles
Major Ion Cameron Walter HILL, The Rifles
Colonel Peter Francis MAHONEY, OBE, late Royal Army Medical Corps
Acting Corporal Nathan Derek Leon MURRIN, The Royal Logistic Corps
Major John Edward Keith OLDROYD, The Royal Regiment of Artillery
Corporal Jonathon Simon PRECIOUS, The Parachute Regiment
Major Jeremy Andrew ROSTRON, The Parachute Regiment
Warrant Officer Class 2 Declan Brian SIBLEY, The Rifles
Major Guy Charles Gideon Rees STONE, Welsh Guards
Warrant Officer Class 1 Richard Charles TAYLOR, Corps of Royal Engineers
Rifleman Thomas John THOPPIL KEZAKETHIL, The Rifles
Lieutenant Colonel Rupert Stuart Michael THORNELOE, MBE, Welsh Guards (Killed in action)
Major Stuart Peter WILES, The Light Dragoons
Air Commodore Kenneth Leslie O'DEA, Royal Air Force
...................................................
IRAQ
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Brigadier Thomas Anthony BECKETT, late The Parachute Regiment
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Commander James Robert DEAN, Royal Navy
Colonel Andrew DENNIS, late The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment
Major Simon Peter HAMILTON, Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Captain Keith TATE, Intelligence Corps
Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service (QCVS)
Commander Henry Alworth Hamilton MEREWETHER, Royal Navy
Brigadier Rupert Paul STEARNS, Royal Marines
Major Christopher James BELL, OBE, Scots Guards
Captain Nicholas David Guise COWLEY, The Queen's Royal Hussars
Lieutenant Colonel Ludwig Karl FORD, MBE, The Royal Regiment of Artillery
Colonel Ian Alexander RIGDEN, OBE, late The Royal Gurkha Rifles
Lieutenant Colonel Gavin James THOMPSON, The Royal Tank Regiment
Captain Timothy WALVIN, The Royal Logistic Corps
Flight Lieutenant John Gerard Hughes MCFADDEN, Royal Air Force
Mr Richard CARD
REST OF THE WORLD
Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG)
Colonel Nigel Malcolm Tree STAFFORD, late 9th/12th Royal Lancers
Queen's Commendation for Bravery (QCB)
Petty Officer Richard Griffiths HICKS, Royal Navy
Petty Officer Air Engineering Technician Alan MURPHY, Royal Navy
Leading Seaman Carl THOMAS, Royal Navy
Queen's Commendation for Bravery in the Air (QCBA)
Sergeant Keith Stewart BEST, Royal Air Force
If you'd like to see what those who took part thought of yesterday's 'ride through' or 'ride out' then pop over to the Afghan Heroes blog.
There are two threads running, one about the day and another about wristbands, both contain a lot of comments showing how both residents and participants felt about the day.
Here's a taster
new resident of Wootton Bassett from 2009 – have attended as many re-pats as I am able, so was delighted that such an event held in and around the town yesterday 14th March – walked up to town and spent about 2 hours there watching the riders come down the high street – proudly waved my AH flag, wooped, clapped and high-fived some of the pillion riders – what a way to spend a sunday morning – thank you so much for coming to the town and making it a happy day to remember amongsts so many sad and reflective ones.
and
I would firstly like to thank the organisers, the mothers, the police and everyone involved in what I think was the best bike event I have ever been to. I will never forget the first sight or the runway that was being filled for the second time by the time we left the base on route to Wootton Bassett. I was blown away by the numbers of locals that lined the streets families, pub go-ers all in the carparks and gardens.I wasnt expecting to be thanked for taking part and I certainly was’nt expecting to be choking back tears when thanked by a woman in Wootton Basset on the ride through.Lastly and by no means an after thought a huge heart felt thanks to every one who was in Wootton Bassett yesterday bless you all not only for yesterday but for what you do for our fallen soldiers.You live in a very special place and everyeone who attended yesterday got a small taste of the emotion that your wonderful village has to offer.Again many thanks
and
They say that Woodstock defined a generation, well perhaps Wootton Bassett mothers day ride out by bikers defines the feelings of this generation.
My ticket number is 12033. With my wife Maggy as pillion (and a lot of others) that’s around 15000 people riding through Wootton Bassett in support of British troops, perhaps the biggest motorcycle ride out in history?
But enough of numbers, the constant roar of bikes and the cheering crowds says much about British support and feelings right now. I saw a chap with a hastily painted board by his front gate declaring “Well Done!”, locals with flags or just applauding and cheering. They were not cheering me, just the sentiment of the day, support for our troops.
By 11.00 the taxiway at Hullavington was about full and the first group of two lines was led off by a police escort, with blue lights flickering.
When our turn eventually came, we were led through a maze of country lanes by police motorcyclists with blue lights flashing, enjoying a beautiful sunny day. Wherever a small hamlet, Farm or just a lone house was passed, the people came out and cheered and waved flags, we answered as best we could by revving our engines and tooting the horns. This seemed to encourage them to even louder cheering.
Eventually we came into the now famous Wootten Bassett high street. I felt humbled to be riding through there, somehow not worthy to follow the path of so many brave troops. The street was lined just as we had seen on TV, not this time by grave and dignified crowds, but by happy, smiling people of all kinds. From the youngest to the oldest all were cheering and waving flags, perhaps glad of something bright and cheerful to see in their street.
As I rode out of Wootten Basset toward the M4 I felt humbled, and yet filled with joy that British pride still exists, its just not so easy to find now-days. But if you look hard enough its still there. I feel proud to be British again.
Thanks to all the Police and organisers who made this possible, but mostly, thanks to the people of Wootten Bassett.
Now if only the people who sent our troops to these far flung places could recognise the core of feeling in the British public.
There's a slight note of sadness that the event didn't hit the headlines which is quite right, it should have done, shouldn't it? Don't 15,000 people doing something good count, or are we supposed to be miserable all the time?
it was a brilliant turnout well done everyone. shame the press felt it was not news worthy enough though only a short mention at the end of the news broadcasts and not one national paper put it on the front page. i guess it still stands the biker saying when we do good no one listens when we do bad everyone listens. oh well i suppose we should be used to it by now. once again well done everyone.
There's nothing Mrs R can add, except to say well done to everybody who was involved in this event.
Something that started as an idea for a local bike club event grew, and grew, and caught the imagination of bikers from throughout Britain and mainland Europe.
Carefully organised by the Afghan Heroes charity, and to avoid annoying other road users, around 15,000 bikers gathered throughout the day at Hullavington Airfield. Their departure, for their 'ride through', was organised in groups of around 500 bikes - for a similar reason.
Mrs R has used some of today's free time to look through news reports and freshly uploaded videos, and has chosen a few highlights. She's fairly sure anybody watching these will feel two emotions - pride and an overwhelming sense of sadness, she'll explain why in a few moments.
Richard Payne's report on ITV West Country Tonight from Friday is a very nice preparatory piece, it's well worth watching - it includes interviews with some bikers (one who travelled from the continent) and also explains that there is a group of Royal British Legion riders at every repatriation, something that Mrs R and family weren't aware of.
So what did Wootton Bassett do with 22 miles of motorbikes (and a good few scooters) of all shapes and sizes? Did they behave in a curmudgeonly way and turn their backs on the noise and smell - as predicted by Neil Burden in last Wednesday's CiF?
No, they blimmin well didn't.
What they did was line the streets, they waved flags and cheered the riders through their town - and they said, "Thank you," too. They did all this without rioting, they did it without overt crowd control, they did it reservedly, in the "British Way".
The BBC carries a news report and a video, also has a few pictures - the first of which deserves to be on the front page, all on its' own - it doesn't need words.
ITV also carries a video report, but unfortunately managed to avoid filming any motorcyclists and mentioned that motorbikes use smelly diesel. Sadly ITV West Country's report of today's event is lacking any commentary, but this could be due to sound problems or over-demand. Sky also carries a report and a video. National and local newspapers also carry reports, too many to list.
So, what does Mrs R recommend?
This first short video is quite nice. It gives a good idea of how well organised the riders were on their way to the rally and shows the reaction of motorists - who waited patiently, or pulled over so they could use their cameras.
If you've got time to watch all of this next one it'll give you an idea of the numbers of bikers involved - it shows just one group, presumably 500 bikes. It's filmed from the roadside away from the centre of Wootton Basssett.
"Awesome" is probably the most apt description, you'll hear that word spoken quite early on in the video.
Phew, what a day, and what a thing to do - on Mother's Day, a day to celebrate being a Mum, but a terribly sad day for those Mums whose sons or daughters have previously been brought home in a cortège through Wootton Bassett, all 271 of them. It's quite humbling to think that one of those Mums started a charity - and made today happen.
Mrs R finds it hard to imagine the numbers - around 15,000 bikes, many with a passenger. Each bike will have meant a £5 donation to Afghan Heroes, although some gave much more because they collected cash from workmates, neighbours etc. First estimates are that at least £100,000 has been raised - voluntarily, without pressure - it's a wondrous amount for a small charity.
When you think of today's event, consider the following :-
15,000ish bikers - on the roads, 'controlled' by a few Police outriders and personal discipline, nothing else.
15,000ish bikers - gave up their weekend and paid £5 so they could ride through a small market town, and then go straight home again. No party, no celebration, no concert.
Apparently extra Police were drafted in to monitor road junctions etc, it would appear that some of them gave their time freely.
The population of Wootton Bassett - watched a 'ride through', for hours and hours. Yes, they've lined their pavements many times before, but today there was not a crush barrier in sight, no shouting, no catcalling - just flag waving and cheering.
A few yellow-jacketed Bobbies were outriders, others unobtrusively lined the route, in case there was a problem, but nothing else - just good behaviour and a sense of gratitude, and a sense pride, a sense of patriotism, and a 'good day out'.
Bikers waved flags, some of them were huge - Mrs R saw the Union Flag, the Cross of St George and the Welsh dragon. (No doubt St Patrick and St Andrew were represented, but Mrs R didn't spot them.) .
Mrs R thinks that today decent people reclaimed their right to fly the flag.
So, what went wrong?
Well, nothing! It was perfect, it was British people at their best, rallying to a cause and doing 'the right thing' in their own way. It was terribly sad, because the country has, so far, lost 271 fine people and there are unpublished numbers of terribly maimed troops too. Today was all for them, and the people of Wootton Bassett.
So let's recap, yet again.
Today at least 15,000 British people gave up at least a day of their lives to take the time to drive through Wootton Bassett as a mark of respect, and to also raise money for a charity that supports British troops. They gave their time, and probably took themselves away from their own families on Mother's Day - to acknowledge the sacrifice of those who have lost their lives or who have been maimed whilst protecting democracy in Afghanistan.
These 15,000 people didn't get out of bed this morning and decide to to 'go for a bike ride'. The event has been long in the planning and has been well publicised amongst the biker community, in magazines and on forums. It was also mentioned on the BBC - as long ago as January. Every participant had to register, many were turned away.
Today the media were out in force, with their cameras and journalists recording this one-of event, because it was a milestone in public display. It was peaceful, quiet, yet also noisy, fun and vibrant.
Let's look at something else for a moment. According to this site there are, or were in 2006 ...
... almost 40 – 50,000 Afghans live in London, the majority of them having come for political reasons
Wikipedia gives a bit more information, and some statistical data too, for the whole country.
Now let's backtrack, again. All the bikers had to register and get a pass, they had to give their name, address and so on. Their passes were checked today - none of them were allowed to be anonymous.
The media was out in force at Hullavington Airfield - filming and interviewing riders, passengers and organisers. There were also reporters and camera crews in Wootton Bassett itself, to record the reaction of the crowds. The British media is always very quick to make sure they balance news reports, and to help celebrate our newly diverse culture.
Mrs R will let you draw your own conclusions - but don't let anything spoil what happened today. It was a wonderful thing to see, and made we Rigbys proud to be British.
Let's keep flying the flag eh, it's worth it - but let's do it the way we're used to doing it, with dignity and with pride.
The Defence Green Paper, debated today, suggests that :-
The Army, the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy could be merged into a single 'super force' .. but ... Bob Ainsworth, the defence secretary, said the structure of the Forces could be debated, but said neither Labour nor the Conservatives would go as far as abolishing any individual service
He said: “Do I think anything as radical as the disappearance of one of the services will be necessary? No I don't. But if other people want to suggest that that is up to them.” (handy bit of buck passing there)
The Mail adds a bit more, and annoys lots of readers by claiming it's to be a new 'alliance' with France :-
[Mr Ainsworth] paved the way for greater military co-operation with France in a 21st century 'Entente Cordiale' .....
Gordon Brown will put two new aircraft carriers at the heart of his vision for the military this week as he commits Labour to billions of pounds of extra defence spending. ..... The Prime Minister will use the launch of a Green Paper on the future of the Armed Forces to promise a new generation of warships and fast jets over the coming decade. He will also guarantee an extra £1.5 billion for the war in Afghanistan, and promise to safeguard defence spending from any cuts next year.
Mr Brown aims to display Labour commitment to the military while also forcing the Conservatives to say whether they would match such spending.
Didn't anybody tell Mr Brown what was in the Green Paper - or have the later news reports got the wrong idea?
Today's reports in the media of closing RAF Cottesmore to pay for a few helicopters seem to have met with a little irritation, if comments in The Mail or on ARRSE are anything to go by.
What cuts can be made to balance a stretched defence budget? In which areas should defence spending be concentrated?
So that's a fait accompli then! No real need to discuss whether there should be defence cuts, merely where they should be!
What the newspaper articles are saying is that 22 new Chinooks have been ordered - because they're needed in Afghanistan. The first ten might be ready for 2013, so will be a little late because we've already been told we'll be out of Afghanistan before then. There's no hint of when the next 12 might be ready, perhaps it will be sooner than those helicopters we've already got, but that might never fly because they've got the wrong software.
Anyhow, apparently there isn't any money in the Defence Budget to pay for these lovely helicopters so Mr Ainsworth has decided it will be a good idea to get rid of a whole RAF base, the one at Cottesmore in Rutland.
The MoD obviously thinks that will save the country a lot of money because it means they, the MoD, won't have to pay lots of wages and it won't have to pay for lots of equipment. They haven't thought outside their little financial box, and haven't realised that making people redundant will take money out of the national coffers - even though it's a different section of the rattlingly empty national coffers, because when, and if, the base closes the local supportive infrastructure will crumble and a lot of people will lose their jobs - and will claim unemployment benefit.
Also tucked away in the Mail's article is this gem
Two Royal Navy vessels will also be withdrawn from service in an effort to balance the books
So not only has the Navy got a lovely new boat that can't use its' weapons, it's going to have to lose some of those it's already got.
Phew, this is almost too much to take in all at once - maybe that's why it's all being said at once, because it's hard to focus on more than one tiny part of this news.
Moving swiftly backwards in time, to Sunday 13th December 2009.
What hasn't been referred to in today's reports is the news that was slipped out in an article inThe Times last Sunday, maybe it was published when everybody was asleep because it has only four comments.
The article outlines other areas of cuts, and lays the blame fairly on the head of General Sir David Richards, who studied Politics and Economics at Cardiff University, because it says that,
The new head of the army [Gen. Sir David Richards] has ordered a cull of more than 300 senior officers, including two major-generals and up to 32 brigadiers.
and
Two major-general posts will go, one at 4th Division in Aldershot and the other at 5th Division at Shrewsbury. However, this is just two out of a total of 43 major-generals.
The closure of these divisional headquarters will also see the loss of a number of other staff officers, plus redundancies for civilian staff.
So more people out of work, because the MoD can't balance its' books.
Further into the article is a comment by Major-General Jonathan Shaw, the Colonel-Commandant of the Parachute Regiment, who "warns in the latest edition of the regimental journal Pegasus that
other infantry units are attempting to see its role axed."
The Times goes on to justify this because
No British paratroopers have dropped into battle since Suez in 1956. There are suggestions that the regiment should be broken up and used as forward reconnaissance units for the army’s frontline brigades.
So they've decided that, because an important regiment hasn't been used very often we don't need to keep it? The Paras? Surely not.
It's an unusual way to plan a defence strategy.
Is it any wonder that soldiers prefer to salute their officers than shake somebody's hand - visit Dizzy's place to see the video.
And maybe the military should be allowed to officially declare war on CO2, that way it might be able to claim some of the money that's obviously lying around because Mr Brown has just given away £1.5 million - to help other countries beat "Climate Change".
Whilst looking for some information earlier today Mrs Rigby noticed this article in the Telegraph that outlines the extent of the cuts affecting all sections of the Territorial Army.
She notes that amongst other things being put on hold, or reduced, are the youth training branches, namely Army Cadets and UTOC.
£4 million will be cut from funding for school cadet forces. As Chancellor in 2006, Gordon Brown announced the expansion of cadet units, saying he wanted more children to participate in them.
Mrs R knows that some teenagers almost 'live' for their Drill Nights, and will spend hours looking after their kit in the Army-approved way. This alone makes Army Cadets worthwhile, but add in the discipline and teamworking skills they acquire and ... well, it's a heck of a loss, and it's the good kids that suffer.
University Officer Training Corps will also lose £3 million.
Mrs R has heard that UOTC Cadets are expected to carry on "as usual", but will not be paid until next year.
Mrs Rigby has also heard, through the local grapevine, that neither Air Force nor Navy junior training branches are suffering funding cuts, so she is intrigued to know why only the Army is being affected in this way but can't find anything in the online media.
Mrs Rigby has no political affiliation whatsoever, but this survey reckons she's a "right social libertarian" Right: 5.2, Libertarian: 4.87 Political Spectrum Quiz
