The United Kingdom Elections 2010

**Furunculus** · 02-01-2010, 23:48

if we wish to project power in amphibious and expeditionary warfare (i.e. short sharp and effective), then we need carriers and expeditionary forces, but, if we want to be able to conduct independant theatre level opertions of extended duration (like iraq and afghanistan), then we need to inest in the army and air support.

arguably britain is sick of extended and nasty ground wars.
arguably a naval centric doctrine plays to britains strengths.
arguably are most 'succesful' wars as percieved by the public are the falklands and sierra leonne.
arguably it is a scarce and thus valuable capability.

the author of the RUSI report happens to agree with those points. :)

**Subotan** · 02-01-2010, 23:57

Wait, what did we do in Sierra Leone?

**Furunculus** · 02-02-2010, 09:46

Originally Posted by Subotan

Wait, what did we do in Sierra Leone?

are you serious?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Palliser
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Barras

Originally Posted by Louis VI the Fat

I am most pleased for you that defense should move up on the agenda in this election.

I am afraid I myself am mostly uninterested in military matters. Regardless, yes, I would heartily welcome a rapprochement bewteen the UK and France in defense. There is a lot of synergetic advantage to be had. Basically, more bang for our bucks, or the same bang for less bucks. (<- my preference)

The larger political framework is to me what defense is to you: a long-standing pre-occupation. My three mantra's: European co-operation is not anti-Atlantic. A further integration of the UK within Europe benefits both. The UK's double status as EU member plus the special relationship with America benefits Europe, the US, and most of all the UK itself.

I am happy that Brown is welcoming of Sarkozy's overtures. You may find the following article interesting, which gives a good analysis of French motives, especially those of Sarkozy's 'project', of which I am so fond.

I agree with the last mantra at least.

And I am delighted it is no longer Frances policy to lever us away from our anglophone roots, but i still don't see the need for Britain to get all cosy with EU defense, just because splendid isolation doesn't work for France does not mean that straddling the Atlantic is not perfectly viable and satisfactoey for Britain. :)

**Furunculus** · 02-02-2010, 13:03

How the boy george wants you to judge him:
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/be...ment-100155902

How to judge George Osborne

By Benedict Brogan Politics Last updated: February 2nd, 2010

With luck today we’ll get away from the confusion of the past few days and back to the difference between Labour and the Tories on the economy. CCHQ’s best efforts to muddy the waters should not allow us to lose sight of the substantial gap between what Labour proposes – profligacy coupled with pandering to sectional interests – and what the Conservatives are committed to achieving – sound money, rebuilt society etc.

That at least was where the debate was until last week. Since then the Tories have shifted the ground and left us scratching our heads. Are they afraid? Are they confused? Are they slacking? Today is their chance to get back on track.

In the lead is George Osbornem, who is showing a bit more ankle with the publication of eight benchmarks by which he would like us to judge him and a Tory government if we give them a chance on May 6. He describes it as a ‘new economic model for Britain’ which will create the growth we desperately need and which won’t come if we carry on trashing the competitiveness of the City and don’t tackle the debt millstone. He’s also announcing a number of endorsements.

Crucially the benchmarks are measures against which the British people “can judge the success or failure of their Chancellor and their government over the next Parliament. We will be accountable.” They are:

* Ensure macroeconimic stability by protecting Britain’s credit rating.
* Create a more balanced economy – ensuring higher exports, business investment and saving as a share of GDP
* Get Britain working by reducing youth unemployment
* Make Britain open for business by improving our international ranking on tax competitiveness
* Ensure the whole country shares in rising prosperity – by raising the private sector’s share of the economy in all regions of the country, especially outside London and the South East.
* Reform public services to deliver better value-for-money by improving productivity in the public sector
* Create a safer banking system that serves the needs of the economy
* Build a greener economy by reducing carbion emissions and improving our share of green technologies

Top Civil Servant: "Gordon Brown 'guillotined' defence budget six months into the iraq war":
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/n...ce-budget.html

**Boohugh** · 02-03-2010, 14:30

Don't know if anyone else saw PMQ's today but defence dominated the questions (I'd say over half of all the questions related to defence), but with the Green Paper on defence coming out today perhaps that isn't so surprising, although it wasn't actually mentioned in any questions. Only had a chance to glance over it so far but it doesn't seem to say much of substance, rather just helps set the scene for the Strategic Defence Review that will follow the election (which is basically the purpose of a Green Paper so not surprising).

Brown's only reply to all the questions was that he had increased defence spending, which doesn't look great when an increasingly long list of civil servants and military chiefs have been telling the Chilcot Inquiry that the armed forces were underequipped for Iraq and Afghanistan, as all it shows is Brown is either fibbing or has misspent all that extra money he's apparently thrown at the military.

**Furunculus** · 02-03-2010, 15:00

excellent news, thank you.

i am as happy to the Cons forced to adopt pro-Defence positions that will 'haunt' them after a general election as i am to see Labour flayed for their mistreatment of the the Forces.

imho, the damage has been allowed to happen because Defence wasn't considered worth the air necessary to discuss it, well now that has changed.

**Boohugh** · 02-03-2010, 15:33

Originally Posted by Furunculus

i am as happy to the Cons forced to adopt pro-Defence positions that will 'haunt' them after a general election as i am to see Labour flayed for their mistreatment of the the Forces.

Haha well umm...don't think the Conservatives really adopted a pro-defence position as such, they just got to point out Brown's failures. Unfortunately there was no mention of the Conservatives actually doing anything about fixing Labour's failures should they win the election (no mention of even meeting the Labour position on the aircraft carriers and JSF projects), so it wasn't all good news. I'd say the one criticism that Brown got right in his responses was that of the Conservatives not really clearly stating any policies recently, only causing confusion as to what they actually are.