One of the few things that have definitely improved over the last few years is the recognition of our troops via the revival of homecoming parades. A well deserved moment of pride over a job well done (as ever), loved one’s relief after a safe return, of joy for families reunited. A chance for family, friends and the wider community to show their support, belief and thanks to a military that has always been there for us even though we haven’t all always been there for them.
But all too often someone or several are missing from the festivities.
British forces have seen some of the fiercest fighting since the Second World War in the all too aptly named Helmand province of Afghanistan, and the toll has been high. Each soldier missing from the homecoming parade lines is a son, brother, and often Father lost from a family. Each family missing from the cheering crowds is a family that will forever henceforth be incomplete.
Their deaths get a brief mention on the evening news, a few words of condolence at the dispatch box, before joining the regiment of statistics.
All too often these deaths are avoidable. British forces are poorly equipped and over-stretched. Sadly, as Douglas Carswell talked about last year, the defence industrial strategy is “more about industry than defence. It does more to safeguard the interests of selected contractors than the interests of the armed forces.” This simply isn’t good enough.
Defence procurement is very concerned with sovereignty of supply, but it should be focussed on quality and quantity. If British firms cannot supply the best equipment at the best price, then the contract should go to whichever allied firm can. Such action would stimulate domestic producers to improve but, even if they don’t, the priority should always be the safety of our troops and the defensive capability of the Armed Forces. They need the right equipment, and enough of it. Helicopters, in particular, are in chronic short supply.
It’s quite simple. If we are to ask our soldiers to be the best, then we must buy the best! And buy enough. That is our small part of the bargain. And if seeing less Union Flags on the Country of Manufacture labels means we see a few less Union Flags on coffins passing through Wootton Bassett, then it will have been a small price indeed.
