http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8294670.stm

No, it's not some party he was at

i am heartened to see one of the 'officers' standing up for the troops
good luck in any endeavours that he maybe involved in …

Yes everyone I have spoken to about it think that the minister came out much worse in the comparison.

I don't know what is worse, being smeared by the government, or headhunted by the Tories. Both are insulting.

I think thre point here is that the good General has been very circumspect about exactly what was said to whom about this new post and when. There is some evidence to suggest that the bad-mouthing he's been doing is more political than out of any concern over the British Troops. It'll be interesting to see how "outspoken" he is if\when the Eton Rifles get into power and he's in the Lords speaking for them....

As an aside I heard him on the Radio this morning and he sounds just like the sainted Mr Cameron. Coincidence?

Though someone whos actually had some experiance in the armed forces advising a party on defence can not be a bad thing.
Its better than having a sanctamonious "god will judge me" politician thats never been near the armed forces (unless theres some nice PR) whos all to willing to spout crap and send them off under equiped, against the advice of anyone who has half a brain cell to a no win situation with no plan.

I don't doubt his expertise in respect of the Army. No matter how experienced he is if what he says purportedly as a politically neutral representative of the Armed Forces (and an employee of the State), is actually a politically motivated rant on behalf of the Tories it is meaningless.

The best bit, in his self justification came when he remarked that he'd only met Cameron a few times "In Knightsbridge at the Church...."

On the more general point we don't expect politicians to have direct experience of any other field (though if they have its a bonus). Mr Cameron (for example) has been a politician ever since leaving Eton & Oxford, apart from a short spell in the Media..... Hardly much "experience" of our "broken society" there then....

Actually I am one of those people who think where practical the minister of state should have experiance in the department they have control and will be making policy decisions that will affect the lives of potentially millions. Unless your mr Brown then your too busy saving the world.

Yes but then many MPs do not have relevant experience of anything other than politics. Plus if there were only one candidate with experience that would be no better.

i don't care which party this person joins, he is standing for the troops
something no politician is doing at the moment

our troops are recieving very little support but are getting a hell of a lot of let downs

they did not ask to go there or any where else, they were ordered
if the person or persons who gave them these orders can not protect our troops by all means possible

then they are to blame not the troops
and anybody in a position to bring this too light in regard of our troops carries my utmost respect …

I think that the politicians are a minimal part of the problem. The actual procurement and distribution of the equipment is done by civil servants and they are the ones who mess up. Politicians are just the heads of department who have little impact on the actual delivery of services. So while the General may have a higher clearance than many politicians I doubt that he will get much more done.

Total bollucks. The politicians are the head of department and the person in charge. If they don't want the responsibility then don't do the job. This ducking of responsibility is just a way of avoiding making a choice.