The military services in any capitalist economy are never going to be on the side of the working class and their representatives in parliament, but for the generals to fall out with New Labour is something else.
New Labour has not exactly been parsimonious when it comes to the Armed Forces. Since 1997 defence spending has increased dramatically and politicians eulogize the deaths of military personnel killed in overseas combat. This has been the most militaristic Labour government ever. In his pre-budget statement in October, the Chancellor announced an extra £400 million for military operations this year and that he would increase the defence budget to £37 billion by 2010, including investments in accommodation for military families. The latest announcement is that ex-servicemen may be given priority to NHS treatment.
Admiral Lord Boyce, the defence chief at the time of the Iraq invasion, claimed that the government cared very little about the armed forces and that this was reflected in Des Browne's duel role as Scottish Secretary and Defence Secretary.
Basically, the army has sour grapes because its role has changed dramatically over the last sixty years. The British Army is no longer defending an empire upon which the sun never sets, instead it's primary involvement is in 'peacekeeping' operations as part of the U.N. or N.A.T.O. The generals are itching for some chauvinistic argy-bargy to flex their muscles and quench their thirst for violence and barbarity. They are fed up with what they would see as 'politically-correct' humanitarian interventions and desperately want to go and shoot some natives. Never mind the squaddies who do all their dirty work: as usual, all the generals have to do is stand in a room playing with their toy soldiers.
The money spent on our bloodthirsty generals could be put to better use if it were invested in building health care and education services in Iraq and Afghanistan.
New Labour has not exactly been parsimonious when it comes to the Armed Forces. Since 1997 defence spending has increased dramatically and politicians eulogize the deaths of military personnel killed in overseas combat. This has been the most militaristic Labour government ever. In his pre-budget statement in October, the Chancellor announced an extra £400 million for military operations this year and that he would increase the defence budget to £37 billion by 2010, including investments in accommodation for military families. The latest announcement is that ex-servicemen may be given priority to NHS treatment.
Admiral Lord Boyce, the defence chief at the time of the Iraq invasion, claimed that the government cared very little about the armed forces and that this was reflected in Des Browne's duel role as Scottish Secretary and Defence Secretary.
Basically, the army has sour grapes because its role has changed dramatically over the last sixty years. The British Army is no longer defending an empire upon which the sun never sets, instead it's primary involvement is in 'peacekeeping' operations as part of the U.N. or N.A.T.O. The generals are itching for some chauvinistic argy-bargy to flex their muscles and quench their thirst for violence and barbarity. They are fed up with what they would see as 'politically-correct' humanitarian interventions and desperately want to go and shoot some natives. Never mind the squaddies who do all their dirty work: as usual, all the generals have to do is stand in a room playing with their toy soldiers.
The money spent on our bloodthirsty generals could be put to better use if it were invested in building health care and education services in Iraq and Afghanistan.
3 Frimaire An CCXIII
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