Support the troops!

As we start a new year, I have been pondering the report by Bernard Jenkin MP published by Conservative Way Forward which looks at commitments and resources of the British military. It makes for astounding reading, bringing to the fore the fact that more young men and women leave the forces every month than actually join - and it is hardly suprising. With many working for below basic minimum wage on hours far past what they should be working (there are no lunch breaks in war) many return, still exhausted both physically and emotionally to Iraq and Afghanistan for their second and third tours; it makes me wonder whether the government actually has any commitment to our forces.
 
To start, we have a part time Defence Secretary and quite honestly, something this appalling can never be brought to peoples attention enough. Then we have the past its 'use-by-date' aircraft such as the type of Nimrod central in the recent crash inquiry which Shadow Defence Minister Gerald Howarth reported should have been replaced four years ago. Well surely they must be well fed? Actually, no. As blogger Dizzy pointed out last month, on base the Army and RAF receive only £1.63 per day for meals compared to £1.87 for prisoners. I must have missed the press release announcing the hard labour prisoners do to justify more being spent on them than the people defending our country. Come to think of it, one wonders why anyone would risk their lives getting in military transportation, let alone go to war for the country.

We should be proud of and respect our troops and that respect needs to begin at national government level with the provision of up to date and safe equipment. Government needs to support the people who have decided that if necessary, they will lay their lives on the line for our country.

Bookmark/Search this post with:

 •    •    •    •