KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON

It’s a refection on the changing times that the British army is at a strength of just over 100,000 at a push we could get them all into Wembley stadium, but as the song goes “The Times They Are A Changing.” that’s everywhere including our military. Even though we didn’t like hearing it from David Cameron we really are a Junior Partner to the USA especially in the military terms. In 2009 the US spent $663Billion on defence. On the other hand in the UK we have over spent to the tune of £36 Billion on defence programmes up to 2020. The obvious big item is Trident. Would I like to retain our Trident programme? Yes, can we afford it NO. it’s a trade off if we keep it other things have to go. I have from the very start said I was sceptical of the building of the new aircraft carriers and I have not shifted on that. I personally don’t think they will happen, even though I would love to see those Glory days of the Fleet air arm return and give us a huge presence on the high seas, truth is Britannia sadly doesn’t not rule the waves any longer. Even though I am an ex Air Defence Gunner I don’t think you will see three air defence Regiments come the review. Same with the Parachute Regt, I think they will axed a further Battalion, along with the Gurkhas. Tanks haven’t got a look in so I can see at least a couple of Armoured Regiments go. Its makes for a grim future for some in the military and there will be a mini civil War erupting between the three services at the MOD. We still have five more years of the Afghan War which we will be feeling the costs of for decades to come with injuries and pension and welfare payments to our wounded Heroes. Cameron has engineered it so he can be the Prime Minister that “BRINGS OUR BOYS HOME.” just before the general election, timing is everything in politics. If he loses then it will be up to the Labour party to decide if they want to keep Trident? In the mean time we should all keep calm and carry on!

Strategic Defence and Security Review: