Mordaunt vs Starmer would be fascinating. I’m up for it
Mordaunt is probably best placed to defend seats in the blue Shires, though not obvious Red Wall appeal.
She has that ex-forces patriotic vibe that could go down well in some Red Wall constituencies, i think. She could probably hold on to a few of them. Some are probably beyond saving already TBH.
I’m a bit puzzled by her reliance on her supposed “military background”
Reading her wiki, she seems to have joined in her mid 30’s, not achieved much of note, or seen any action, then left after five years.
Dura is on record with "not much", though expressed more colourfully.
She seems to have had a challenging upbringing - father Para Reg hence away a lot, mother died early, she became "primary caregiver" (wiki).
She is in the RNR (no idea what the difference between RNR and RNVR is) and as such although she didn't do too much it seems (can't see any deployments) she put her name down and was presumably ready to deploy. And might have had to I assume at various points in time.
So good for her is my view.
I am unsurprised that you're not quite as cynical as our aviator.
I find the forces fetishism a bit naff (we’re not American) so the fact she was a carer from a young age makes me think more highly of her than being RNR. Then again one of my best friends is RNR and I’m amazed he can tie his shoes in the morning so my views may not be representative.
It's complicated.
From 2003 to 20-whenever we pulled out of Afghan it meant war fighting so that requires something of people. I wouldn't say fetish-worthy but if you signed up then you knew it was going to get kinetic.
Since then (and hence for a large part of today's HMF) there are no conflicts as such, just training (eg in Estonia) and eg mentoring/peacekeeping. So not so busy.
You are right the Americans go overboard imo and we are more "musn't grumble" about it all.
Everything changed with Iraq/Afghan and all the footage, embedded reporters, and youtube posts, when there was a transformation of HMF from being a dirty little secret (ie NI) to being "heroes".
Is it a good thing? Not good not bad imo. Certainly HMF were overlooked/under-appreciated especially for Op Banner for many years.
Mordaunt vs Starmer would be fascinating. I’m up for it
Mordaunt is probably best placed to defend seats in the blue Shires, though not obvious Red Wall appeal.
She has that ex-forces patriotic vibe that could go down well in some Red Wall constituencies, i think. She could probably hold on to a few of them. Some are probably beyond saving already TBH.
I’m a bit puzzled by her reliance on her supposed “military background”
Reading her wiki, she seems to have joined in her mid 30’s, not achieved much of note, or seen any action, then left after five years.
Dura is on record with "not much", though expressed more colourfully.
She seems to have had a challenging upbringing - father Para Reg hence away a lot, mother died early, she became "primary caregiver" (wiki).
She is in the RNR (no idea what the difference between RNR and RNVR is) and as such although she didn't do too much it seems (can't see any deployments) she put her name down and was presumably ready to deploy. And might have had to I assume at various points in time.
So good for her is my view.
RNR is or at least was a period of reserve after you've done a contract of full-time matelot in the Andrew. RNVR is when you've never been a full-timer.
tyvm
And that could be one of the most magnificent typos in PB history.
What typo? No misspellings there at all. Idiom may be a problem - Andrew = RN.
Ahhh - hadn't heard that. Just associated it with HRH The Person.
Mordaunt vs Starmer would be fascinating. I’m up for it
Mordaunt is probably best placed to defend seats in the blue Shires, though not obvious Red Wall appeal.
She has that ex-forces patriotic vibe that could go down well in some Red Wall constituencies, i think. She could probably hold on to a few of them. Some are probably beyond saving already TBH.
I’m a bit puzzled by her reliance on her supposed “military background”
Reading her wiki, she seems to have joined in her mid 30’s, not achieved much of note, or seen any action, then left after five years.
Dura is on record with "not much", though expressed more colourfully.
She seems to have had a challenging upbringing - father Para Reg hence away a lot, mother died early, she became "primary caregiver" (wiki).
She is in the RNR (no idea what the difference between RNR and RNVR is) and as such although she didn't do too much it seems (can't see any deployments) she put her name down and was presumably ready to deploy. And might have had to I assume at various points in time.
So good for her is my view.
I am unsurprised that you're not quite as cynical as our aviator.
I find the forces fetishism a bit naff (we’re not American) so the fact she was a carer from a young age makes me think more highly of her than being RNR. Then again one of my best friends is RNR and I’m amazed he can tie his shoes in the morning so my views may not be representative.
It's complicated.
From 2003 to 20-whenever we pulled out of Afghan it meant war fighting so that requires something of people. I wouldn't say fetish-worthy but if you signed up then you knew it was going to get kinetic.
Since then (and hence for a large part of today's HMF) there are no conflicts as such, just training (eg in Estonia) and eg mentoring/peacekeeping. So not so busy.
You are right the Americans go overboard imo and we are more "musn't grumble" about it all.
Everything changed with Iraq/Afghan and all the footage, embedded reporters, and youtube posts, when there was a transformation of HMF from being a dirty little secret (ie NI) to being "heroes".
Is it a good thing? Not good not bad imo. Certainly HMF were overlooked/under-appreciated especially for Op Banner for many years.
*SOBS*
Navy not usually* so involved at the sharp edge, mind, unless you were a bold pilot or aircrew such as DA. But plenty of sometimes fairly miserable traipsing around the globe and patrolling to and fro on uncomfortable lumps of machinery with odd corners left over for the living inhabitants to arrange themselves in.
*But pretty risky at times - for instance in the Persian/Arabian Gulf.
Mordaunt vs Starmer would be fascinating. I’m up for it
Mordaunt is probably best placed to defend seats in the blue Shires, though not obvious Red Wall appeal.
She has that ex-forces patriotic vibe that could go down well in some Red Wall constituencies, i think. She could probably hold on to a few of them. Some are probably beyond saving already TBH.
I’m a bit puzzled by her reliance on her supposed “military background”
Reading her wiki, she seems to have joined in her mid 30’s, not achieved much of note, or seen any action, then left after five years.
Dura is on record with "not much", though expressed more colourfully.
She seems to have had a challenging upbringing - father Para Reg hence away a lot, mother died early, she became "primary caregiver" (wiki).
She is in the RNR (no idea what the difference between RNR and RNVR is) and as such although she didn't do too much it seems (can't see any deployments) she put her name down and was presumably ready to deploy. And might have had to I assume at various points in time.
So good for her is my view.
I am unsurprised that you're not quite as cynical as our aviator.
I find the forces fetishism a bit naff (we’re not American) so the fact she was a carer from a young age makes me think more highly of her than being RNR. Then again one of my best friends is RNR and I’m amazed he can tie his shoes in the morning so my views may not be representative.
It's complicated.
From 2003 to 20-whenever we pulled out of Afghan it meant war fighting so that requires something of people. I wouldn't say fetish-worthy but if you signed up then you knew it was going to get kinetic.
Since then (and hence for a large part of today's HMF) there are no conflicts as such, just training (eg in Estonia) and eg mentoring/peacekeeping. So not so busy.
You are right the Americans go overboard imo and we are more "musn't grumble" about it all.
Everything changed with Iraq/Afghan and all the footage, embedded reporters, and youtube posts, when there was a transformation of HMF from being a dirty little secret (ie NI) to being "heroes".
Is it a good thing? Not good not bad imo. Certainly HMF were overlooked/under-appreciated especially for Op Banner for many years.
*SOBS*
Probably where I am tbf. The forces should be treated well but “our brave lads” is cringe. I get particularly upset with the treatment veterans often get from the state (something Labour should go harder on).
He only needs another 35 to be guaranteed a top 2 spot. He will get most of Hunt and Tugendhats transfers i think. I cant see him failing to pick up 35
Mordaunt vs Starmer would be fascinating. I’m up for it
Mordaunt is probably best placed to defend seats in the blue Shires, though not obvious Red Wall appeal.
She has that ex-forces patriotic vibe that could go down well in some Red Wall constituencies, i think. She could probably hold on to a few of them. Some are probably beyond saving already TBH.
I’m a bit puzzled by her reliance on her supposed “military background”
Reading her wiki, she seems to have joined in her mid 30’s, not achieved much of note, or seen any action, then left after five years.
Dura is on record with "not much", though expressed more colourfully.
She seems to have had a challenging upbringing - father Para Reg hence away a lot, mother died early, she became "primary caregiver" (wiki).
She is in the RNR (no idea what the difference between RNR and RNVR is) and as such although she didn't do too much it seems (can't see any deployments) she put her name down and was presumably ready to deploy. And might have had to I assume at various points in time.
So good for her is my view.
I am unsurprised that you're not quite as cynical as our aviator.
I find the forces fetishism a bit naff (we’re not American) so the fact she was a carer from a young age makes me think more highly of her than being RNR. Then again one of my best friends is RNR and I’m amazed he can tie his shoes in the morning so my views may not be representative.
It's complicated.
From 2003 to 20-whenever we pulled out of Afghan it meant war fighting so that requires something of people. I wouldn't say fetish-worthy but if you signed up then you knew it was going to get kinetic.
Since then (and hence for a large part of today's HMF) there are no conflicts as such, just training (eg in Estonia) and eg mentoring/peacekeeping. So not so busy.
You are right the Americans go overboard imo and we are more "musn't grumble" about it all.
Everything changed with Iraq/Afghan and all the footage, embedded reporters, and youtube posts, when there was a transformation of HMF from being a dirty little secret (ie NI) to being "heroes".
Is it a good thing? Not good not bad imo. Certainly HMF were overlooked/under-appreciated especially for Op Banner for many years.
*SOBS*
Probably where I am tbf. The forces should be treated well but “our brave lads” is cringe. I get particularly upset with the treatment veterans often get from the state (something Labour should go harder on).
Didn't help that the specialist military (including naval) hospitals were closed down.
He only needs another 35 to be guaranteed a top 2 spot. He will get most of Hunt and Tugendhats transfers i think. I cant see him failing to pick up 35
You're assuming he holds on to his existing votes. That is very much not a given.
Mordaunt vs Starmer would be fascinating. I’m up for it
Mordaunt is probably best placed to defend seats in the blue Shires, though not obvious Red Wall appeal.
She has that ex-forces patriotic vibe that could go down well in some Red Wall constituencies, i think. She could probably hold on to a few of them. Some are probably beyond saving already TBH.
I’m a bit puzzled by her reliance on her supposed “military background”
Reading her wiki, she seems to have joined in her mid 30’s, not achieved much of note, or seen any action, then left after five years.
Dura is on record with "not much", though expressed more colourfully.
She seems to have had a challenging upbringing - father Para Reg hence away a lot, mother died early, she became "primary caregiver" (wiki).
She is in the RNR (no idea what the difference between RNR and RNVR is) and as such although she didn't do too much it seems (can't see any deployments) she put her name down and was presumably ready to deploy. And might have had to I assume at various points in time.
So good for her is my view.
I am unsurprised that you're not quite as cynical as our aviator.
I find the forces fetishism a bit naff (we’re not American) so the fact she was a carer from a young age makes me think more highly of her than being RNR. Then again one of my best friends is RNR and I’m amazed he can tie his shoes in the morning so my views may not be representative.
It's complicated.
From 2003 to 20-whenever we pulled out of Afghan it meant war fighting so that requires something of people. I wouldn't say fetish-worthy but if you signed up then you knew it was going to get kinetic.
Since then (and hence for a large part of today's HMF) there are no conflicts as such, just training (eg in Estonia) and eg mentoring/peacekeeping. So not so busy.
You are right the Americans go overboard imo and we are more "musn't grumble" about it all.
Everything changed with Iraq/Afghan and all the footage, embedded reporters, and youtube posts, when there was a transformation of HMF from being a dirty little secret (ie NI) to being "heroes".
Is it a good thing? Not good not bad imo. Certainly HMF were overlooked/under-appreciated especially for Op Banner for many years.
*SOBS*
Probably where I am tbf. The forces should be treated well but “our brave lads” is cringe. I get particularly upset with the treatment veterans often get from the state (something Labour should go harder on).
Didn't help that the specialist military (including naval) hospitals were closed down.
They were not viable, and a drain on forces medical resources to staff. The current system of military wards at major hospitals is a better one.
He only needs another 35 to be guaranteed a top 2 spot. He will get most of Hunt and Tugendhats transfers i think. I cant see him failing to pick up 35
You're assuming he holds on to his existing votes. That is very much not a given.
Quite
A lot of MPs will have voted for him simply as the likely winner, the ex COTE, the obvious choice. He is far from that, now
And he has a lot of negatives
Who is more likely to win the next election for the Tories, and save the most seats? Is it really Sunak??
Mordaunt vs Starmer would be fascinating. I’m up for it
Mordaunt is probably best placed to defend seats in the blue Shires, though not obvious Red Wall appeal.
She has that ex-forces patriotic vibe that could go down well in some Red Wall constituencies, i think. She could probably hold on to a few of them. Some are probably beyond saving already TBH.
I’m a bit puzzled by her reliance on her supposed “military background”
Reading her wiki, she seems to have joined in her mid 30’s, not achieved much of note, or seen any action, then left after five years.
He only needs another 35 to be guaranteed a top 2 spot. He will get most of Hunt and Tugendhats transfers i think. I cant see him failing to pick up 35
You're assuming he holds on to his existing votes. That is very much not a given.
Meanwhile, the logical next step for Tugendhat is to also withdraw. He's not going to pick up transfers from Hunt with Mordaunt and Sunak in the top two, and could even see a few backers drift off.
A shame the Tories didn't confound us all by having a three day beauty contest and then a single ballot using AV, although it may be as well for TSE's keyboard...
Mordaunt vs Starmer would be fascinating. I’m up for it
Mordaunt is probably best placed to defend seats in the blue Shires, though not obvious Red Wall appeal.
She has that ex-forces patriotic vibe that could go down well in some Red Wall constituencies, i think. She could probably hold on to a few of them. Some are probably beyond saving already TBH.
I’m a bit puzzled by her reliance on her supposed “military background”
Reading her wiki, she seems to have joined in her mid 30’s, not achieved much of note, or seen any action, then left after five years.
Dura is on record with "not much", though expressed more colourfully.
She seems to have had a challenging upbringing - father Para Reg hence away a lot, mother died early, she became "primary caregiver" (wiki).
She is in the RNR (no idea what the difference between RNR and RNVR is) and as such although she didn't do too much it seems (can't see any deployments) she put her name down and was presumably ready to deploy. And might have had to I assume at various points in time.
So good for her is my view.
I am unsurprised that you're not quite as cynical as our aviator.
I find the forces fetishism a bit naff (we’re not American) so the fact she was a carer from a young age makes me think more highly of her than being RNR. Then again one of my best friends is RNR and I’m amazed he can tie his shoes in the morning so my views may not be representative.
It's complicated.
From 2003 to 20-whenever we pulled out of Afghan it meant war fighting so that requires something of people. I wouldn't say fetish-worthy but if you signed up then you knew it was going to get kinetic.
Since then (and hence for a large part of today's HMF) there are no conflicts as such, just training (eg in Estonia) and eg mentoring/peacekeeping. So not so busy.
You are right the Americans go overboard imo and we are more "musn't grumble" about it all.
Everything changed with Iraq/Afghan and all the footage, embedded reporters, and youtube posts, when there was a transformation of HMF from being a dirty little secret (ie NI) to being "heroes".
Is it a good thing? Not good not bad imo. Certainly HMF were overlooked/under-appreciated especially for Op Banner for many years.
*SOBS*
Probably where I am tbf. The forces should be treated well but “our brave lads” is cringe. I get particularly upset with the treatment veterans often get from the state (something Labour should go harder on).
Didn't help that the specialist military (including naval) hospitals were closed down.
They were not viable, and a drain on forces medical resources to staff. The current system of military wards at major hospitals is a better one.
Good to have your up to date view; thanks. Wasn't there a time when there were fewer such wards? Things do seem to be improving. I seem to remember a particularly sticky patch a decade or two back.
Rishi's gameplan surely has to be to shore up Tom, try to get him to knock out Penny.
He doesn't have enough votes to do that. He needs all the votes he can get to make the final two with as strong a showing as possible. Then he has to hope he can win people over in the hustings.
Mordaunt vs Starmer would be fascinating. I’m up for it
Mordaunt is probably best placed to defend seats in the blue Shires, though not obvious Red Wall appeal.
She has that ex-forces patriotic vibe that could go down well in some Red Wall constituencies, i think. She could probably hold on to a few of them. Some are probably beyond saving already TBH.
I’m a bit puzzled by her reliance on her supposed “military background”
Reading her wiki, she seems to have joined in her mid 30’s, not achieved much of note, or seen any action, then left after five years.
Dura is on record with "not much", though expressed more colourfully.
She seems to have had a challenging upbringing - father Para Reg hence away a lot, mother died early, she became "primary caregiver" (wiki).
She is in the RNR (no idea what the difference between RNR and RNVR is) and as such although she didn't do too much it seems (can't see any deployments) she put her name down and was presumably ready to deploy. And might have had to I assume at various points in time.
So good for her is my view.
I am unsurprised that you're not quite as cynical as our aviator.
I find the forces fetishism a bit naff (we’re not American) so the fact she was a carer from a young age makes me think more highly of her than being RNR. Then again one of my best friends is RNR and I’m amazed he can tie his shoes in the morning so my views may not be representative.
I wouldn't call it 'fetishism' in most cases. Most of us have relatively cushy lives. Out of choice, I have spent nights bivvying and camping in cold and damp places. But that was my choice, with the knowledge that if things got bad I could pay to be in a hotel in a couple of nights (in most cases).
I try to see people who do necessary but nasty jobs in a positive manner. Like binmen or nurses.
It is necessary to have a military, and it can be a sh*t job. Except military people might die, or have to kill, in their jobs. And live for long periods away from their loved ones. And for poor pay.
So it's not fetishisation; it's a knowledge that people are risking a lot doing a necessary job.
Comments
Mordaunt
Badenoch
Tugsy
Truss
Braverman
Zahawi
Hun
*Edit* last one as in "u ok?"
Braverman (32) and Tugendhat (37) quite toasty.....
From 2003 to 20-whenever we pulled out of Afghan it meant war fighting so that requires something of people. I wouldn't say fetish-worthy but if you signed up then you knew it was going to get kinetic.
Since then (and hence for a large part of today's HMF) there are no conflicts as such, just training (eg in Estonia) and eg mentoring/peacekeeping. So not so busy.
You are right the Americans go overboard imo and we are more "musn't grumble" about it all.
Everything changed with Iraq/Afghan and all the footage, embedded reporters, and youtube posts, when there was a transformation of HMF from being a dirty little secret (ie NI) to being "heroes".
Is it a good thing? Not good not bad imo. Certainly HMF were overlooked/under-appreciated especially for Op Banner for many years.
*SOBS*
Dunno.
Penny Mordaunt - 18.8%
Liz Truss - 14.0%
Kemi Badenoch - 11.2%
Tom Tugendhat - 10.4%
Suella Braverman - 9.0%
Politics is healing!
But, I'd expect Penny to top the poll tomorrow regardless of what Rigby says.
*But pretty risky at times - for instance in the Persian/Arabian Gulf.
1.8 Penny Mordaunt 55%
4.7 Rishi Sunak 21%
5.5 Liz Truss 18%
19.5 Kemi Badenoch 5%
30 Tom Tugendhat
110 Dominic Raab
110 Suella Braverman
Rishi Sunak - 32
Penny Mordaunt - 53
Liz Truss - 70
Kemi Badenoch - 80
Tom Tugendhat - 83
Suella Braverman - 88
By far the worst candidate, and I include the lunatic guy.
That is very much not a given.
NEW THREAD
Just ask Portillo
First round it 2016 May got 165... ditto.
Any suggestion that Sunak is a position to be lending vote is nonsense
270 Tory MPs voted AGAINST him...
https://twitter.com/MrHarryCole/status/1547251514615500807
While some Sunak supporters may have loaned votes to other candidates it’s not a great start…
A lot of MPs will have voted for him simply as the likely winner, the ex COTE, the obvious choice. He is far from that, now
And he has a lot of negatives
Who is more likely to win the next election for the Tories, and save the most seats? Is it really Sunak??
I don't know much about being a reserve, but if she was an acting sub-lieutenant at the time, surely it suggests she'd joined earlier?
Meanwhile, the logical next step for Tugendhat is to also withdraw. He's not going to pick up transfers from Hunt with Mordaunt and Sunak in the top two, and could even see a few backers drift off.
A shame the Tories didn't confound us all by having a three day beauty contest and then a single ballot using AV, although it may be as well for TSE's keyboard...
Be curious to see how he jumps now.
I try to see people who do necessary but nasty jobs in a positive manner. Like binmen or nurses.
It is necessary to have a military, and it can be a sh*t job. Except military people might die, or have to kill, in their jobs. And live for long periods away from their loved ones. And for poor pay.
So it's not fetishisation; it's a knowledge that people are risking a lot doing a necessary job.
This thread got less than 30 votes!