The former Tory defense secretary admits the UK has no “credible” plans to mobilize volunteers in the event of war
James Heapeywho was defense minister for the entire previous parliament, told Times Radio in an interview this morning that figures suggesting around 10,000 members of the armed forces were medically unfit were “absolutely shocking” and worrying. But he also downplayed the significance of the findings, saying the numbers would include many people deemed unfit simply because they missed dental checkups, and that other people with injuries could be deployed in the war. He explained:
First, I’ll bet you that a significant portion of non-deployables who were demoted medically were demoted for dental reasons. What this means is that they have not had their teeth checked in the last six months and are therefore automatically declared unfit for their teeth and therefore not fully deployable.
Secondly, there is a fact about the nature of some of these casualties that means they cannot deploy for a discretionary operation today in peacetime, but if war were to come, they would be perfectly capable of going and fighting because the needs of the nation would rather trump that discretion to some extent. Related to their medical ability.
The CarnesThe former soldier, who was immediately appointed Minister of Defense after being elected to Parliament in the elections, revealed these numbers in a written parliamentary response. Depending on the day Story TimesCarnes also angered No. 10 when he gave Speech recently He said the entire army could be eliminated within six months in the event of a Ukrainian-style conflict.
In his interview with The Times Radio… Hippie He said Carnes was right to say what he did.
In 1914, the British Expeditionary Force was defeated in the first year, and it was an army of volunteers and conscripts that later went on to win the war.
In 1939, the standing professional army was defeated within a year and on the beaches of Dunkirk, and it was then the army of volunteer conscripts, the army of the second and third ranks, that went on to win the war.
So Al is not a fully credentialed politician yet, he is a senior military officer and tells it like it is. No one should find that particularly obscene, these are the facts.
Hebbey, who resigned as an MP at the election, said Britain needed better plans to mobilize volunteers in the event of a full-scale war because current plans were not “credible”.
History tells us that an army, navy and air force that starts a war never finishes it, and at the moment I do not think the UK has particularly credible plans to develop that second and third tier that will be decisive in the war. That is, a national war.
Main events
Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch release their own Christmas messages
Keir Starmer and Kimmy Badenoch They both released their own Christmas messages.
Starmer He has been described as the first openly atheist British Prime Minister. “I’m not of faith, I don’t believe in God – but I can see the power of faith and the way it brings people together.” One journalist said in 2021. (UK humanists argue that there have been many previous prime ministers who have been like this An atheist like that.) But his message today has a lighter, traditional Christian tone, as he mentions Jesus and stresses the importance of caring for others.
Here’s an excerpt.
I especially want to thank those who will spend Christmas serving others this year. In our NHS and emergency services, our armed forces, churches and charities who will welcome everyone this Christmas.
Because I know this is not an easy time for everyone, and my thoughts are with all those feeling alone this Christmas. You are going through a difficult time, and you miss a loved one. You are not alone.
Because as Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the Christmas story reminds us all of the need to connect with one another. To care for each other. And to take care of those around us.
Here’s the video.
As we come together to celebrate the hope and joy of this special season, I wish you a very Merry Christmas.
The Christmas story reminds us of the need to care for and care for those around us – and I send my deepest thanks to those who spend Christmas in service to others. pic.twitter.com/SYUeZ4fqJ8
– Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) December 24, 2024
Badenoch She is also a non-believer, although she describes herself as a “cultural Christian.” According to a recent biography by Lord Ashcroft, She lost her faith After reading about the story of Elisabeth Fritzl, who was held captive in an Austrian basement for 24 years and repeatedly raped by her father. When she learned that Elizabeth had prayed for her salvation, Badenoch concluded that she could not believe in a God who would ignore such prayers.
In her message, Badenoch He seems a little more optimistic than Starmer. It also emphasizes the importance of thinking about others.
Here’s an excerpt.
I think Christmas is a time for us to reflect on everything that happened during the year.
Sometimes we have amazing years.
Sometimes, like when I lost my father, we face difficult years and feel compassion, but we do it together.
But it’s time for us to support all those people who need our help, who need our help, who need our support. That’s one of the best things about Christmas, it’s not just about all the things we love and want to do, but also about thinking about others.
Here’s the video.
The holiday season is a time of celebration, joy, and spending time with loved ones.
It is also a time for reflection, and to keep in our thoughts those who may find this time of year difficult or lonely, and those who sacrifice Christmas in order to care for others.… pic.twitter.com/xivM6j7wNV
– Kemi Badenoch (@KemiBadenoch) December 24, 2024
Mark FrancoisThe Shadow Defense Secretary told The Times that urgent action was needed to increase the size of the armed forces, and improve the fitness of people already serving, in light of figures it revealed about the number of service personnel unfit to serve. He fights. (See 9.25am). He said:
Not only has the army now shrunk to just over 71,000 soldiers, about 2,000 fewer than its established strength. [but] Of these, nearly a quarter are completely medically non-deployable.
This requires urgent action, not only in terms of recruitment and retention, but also remedial measures, especially physiotherapy, to ensure that our remaining soldiers are truly combat fit.
Ministry of Defense figures show that more than 10,000 members of the armed forces are not qualified to fight
Good morning. With almost no live political news, Christmas Eve isn’t the best day for a live political blog, but Christmas is also the season of presents – pre-packaged and pre-wrapped offers – and there are some good ones this morning.
At The Guardian, we keep playing Anna IsaacA story that Thames Water deliberately diverted millions of pounds pledged for environmental clean-ups into other costs including bonuses and profits.
And in the Times, Larissa BrownDefense Editor story Saying that one fifth of the members of the armed forces cannot be relied upon to fight for health reasons. She reports.
It was revealed that more than 10,000 serving sailors, soldiers and airmen could not fight the war because they were declared medically unfit.
In addition, approximately 15,000 soldiers can only be deployed if the mission meets certain criteria, such as the weather not being too hot or too cold and not being exposed to noise…
Nearly a quarter of soldiers and officers in the regular army cannot participate in combat without any restrictions, and nearly 3,000 sailors are considered unfit to go to sea under any circumstances.
In the Army’s case, 16,335 soldiers are either “non-medically deployable” or “limited medically deployable,” out of a total of 71,340 personnel, equivalent to 23% of the total force.
The numbers come from Written parliamentary answer From Al Carnes, Veterans Secretary, to a question from Mark Francois, Shadow Defense Secretary.
In its version of the story, PA Media stated:
Service members with medical conditions or fitness issues that affect their ability to perform their duties generally will be referred to a medical board for a medical examination and review of their medical grades.
They may be demoted to allow for treatment, recovery and rehabilitation and deployment status may be granted on a temporary or permanent basis.
Deployable is defined as individuals capable of being deployed into operations. Some individuals may have medical limitations that restrict the type or location of operation to which they can be deployed.
MoD statistics from April 2024 showed that the Army fell below the target size for the first time since it was set, meaning all three branches of the service are currently below the target: the Army by 1%, the Royal Armed Forces by 5%, and the RAF By 10%. %.
Overall, the UK Armed Forces were 5,440 personnel (1%) short of the target.
Commenting on the numbers, he said: Ministry of Defense He said:
The vast majority of our service members – approximately 90% – are deployable at any point, with most remaining members of our armed forces employed in broader military roles. We are committed to providing world-class medical treatment to ensure personnel are able to return to duty where possible, or to support their transition to civilian life.
I will finish other bits of political news before Christmas, as much as there is, as the morning continues. But we will close at lunch time.
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