More on General Sir Richard Dannatt
The story has moved on significantly since Victoria's interview with General Sir Richard Dannatt this morning. During the conversation the former head of the British army was pressed on whether he'd consider taking a job in a future Conservative government.
Although he initially said he'd not been approached, he then corrected himself by saying he'd not been approached publicly but that, in theory, he would accept a post. An hour and a half after our interview was broadcast, David Cameron told Nick Robinson they had had private conversations about such a position. And by the time our programme came off air Tory sources were confirming Dannatt is to become an adviser to the party on defence.
You can listen back to our interview with General Sir Richard Dannatt in Victoria's previous post. And do check out this video of an embarrassing frontbench gaffe when the shadow Home Secretary, Chris Grayling, mistakenly appeared to believe that the general was to advise the Labour government, rather than Mr Cameron.
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Brilliant! At last a serving military chief whose got no compunction about revealing his true political colours, if that wasn't obvious anyway by the way Gen Dannatt and other senior colleagues never opposed this Afghanistan campaign in the first place.
The equipment factor is a symptom of the failed military mission and he like all Tories and apologists for the war simply use it as a scapegoat to cause maximum havoc to a servile right-wing New Labour government!
Whilst there are many commissioned officers in the services who are from a more humble social and academic background the majority of the top brass 'elite' are clearly of a right-wing public school conservative disposition.
The question should be therefore if its seemingly permissible for a serving General to align himself with the Tory Party thus removing any pretence that the services are a politically neutral institution should not all members of the Armed Services have the right to be politically active themselves in whatever capacity they wish either in a political party or trade union.
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"True political colours"? Shame on you.
Maybe, just maybe he was and is totally frustrated at the ineptitude and total incompetence of this woeful Government and sees an opportunity within the incoming NEW govt to HELP the forces.
That, I feel is his "colours" not which bl**dy party to support.
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Serving officers are not allowed to criticise orders Nick. Anyway, what is the difference between him taking a political job on retirement to all those ex-Ministers who suddenly find they are being sought after by companies they came across when they were in Cabinet? And there are plenty of those from this governnment as well as every previous one.
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Since it seems likely that the Tories will form the next government, unless they do something very silly before May or Brown receives divine intervention, and there will be an ongoing situation overseas it seems eminently sensible to recruit an advisor on the matter who has plenty of experience in the frontline and has spent time in theatre recently.
One can't help but feel that Browns advice comes from career political insiders of the Malcolm Tucker/Ollie Reeder type from The Thick Of It - PPE graduates and spinmeisters with little experience outside of the Westminster village and no clue about war or combat.
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this general said yesterday he was not getting politial ... what a joke this job was in the bag b4 he said what he said. he is the worst type of politican going A LIAR
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how extraordinary, the use of the p word is seen to be offensive, and recognised as such and yet derbyshire continues to use the word without any sense of it being offensive. it is offensive because of its historical usage.
i cant help but feel that the bbc is trying very hard to attempt to normalise the word , to try to draw the sting out of the abusive word?
would derbyshire be using the n word as casually as she uses the p word - unlikely. would the bbc be encouraging its callers to use the n word so casually - again unlikely.
the bbc has to defend its show and itself , it has presented various excuses for the behaviour of one of its employees. however it did not defend ms thatcher for good reason.
anton was found out, he had no choice but to apologise for the sake of his career and of course the furure of the bbc show he is involved with.
wholly cynical and disgusting attitude and behaviour from the bbc and derbyshire today.
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this race row .. the only reason he apologised is to keep his job pure and simple. im a paddy and proud to be one and everyone is gettin their knickers in a twist over something they never heard or witnessed. its all about how its said and to have that one bloke arguing his point against 3 people that had no wish to hear his point is typical of this debate.. you cant say anything about race without being called a rasist if your opinion differs however slightly from the norm
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"its all about how its said and to have that one bloke arguing his point against 3 people that had no wish to hear his point is typical of this debate.. you cant say anything about race without being called a rasist if your opinion differs however slightly from the norm"
do you think that the n word is any less offensive because it is said with a smile?
the context is that the p word in the uk has always been a word of abuse, to cause offense it does not have any other context.
it is wrong of the bbc to try to normalise the word as mainstream by repeated usage.
it is offensive regardless of the victim accepting an apology, that an apology had to be made is evidence of that fact.
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"how extraordinary, the use of the p word is seen to be offensive, and recognised as such and yet derbyshire continues to use the word without any sense of it being offensive. it is offensive because of its historical usage.
i cant help but feel that the bbc is trying very hard to attempt to normalise the word , to try to draw the sting out of the abusive word?"
Or maybe she's using it in the context of telling people what was said, in debate, and not hurling it as an insult? When she started the peace she gave many caveats and contextualising remarks before actually using the word (in context).
You can try making a storm in a teacup about it if you wish, however.
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Yes Sarnia! True political colours and I'm not ashamed
I served 12 years in Army and thoroughly enjoyed it but listening today to how the media and politicians manipulate the emotions and experiences of serving members of HMF in order to justify these 'imperial' conflicts which have nothing to do with democracy I'm glad I made the break!
The Armed Forces is a contradictory organisation! It is a 'socialist' organisation protecting the interests of the property owning classes which of course is presented to everyone and defending our Queen and Country! The great irony is that many rank and file members join up for comradeship, physical fitness, leadership skills, trade skills and many other thing's which a capitalist economy cannot provide yet it's in this systems interests that the Armed Forces are deployed to defend or attack!
This is why there are two rank structures in the forces...the commissioned officers subordinated by the non-commissioned ranks because that reflects the class structures in society. Until there is one rank structure within the forces it will never be a politically neutral institution albeit much of its rank and file will not realise it whilst performing their duties.
The reality is that when the likes of General Dannatt play the populist role by using the equipment factor as an excuse to have a pop at a pathetic Labour government administering a Tory war for Tory ideals they arn't speaking up for their men but rather their class and priviledge!
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