Defending his own premiership
Peter Hoskin 9:00am
The Times's story of how Bob Ainsworth came to be Defence Secretary is equal parts extraordinary and disheartening. Here are the key passages:
"Mr Ainsworth’s predecessor, John Hutton, had indicated to Mr Brown in mid-May that he was thinking of leaving the Government. Mr Hutton, recently remarried, had a compelling family reason for wanting to step down. But Mr Brown, preoccupied with the elections and the possibility of a leadership challenge, appears to have spent little time thinking about the vacancy. It wasn’t until around noon the day after the polls that he began to focus on who should oversee Britain’s military and its engagement in Afghanistan.
In the midst of a reshuffle carried out against the backdrop of political crisis, a weakened Prime Minister had fewer candidates with Cabinet experience willing to serve and more vacancies than he had expected. Although the field for Defence Secretary was crowded, only one was a serving Cabinet member. Shaun Woodward, the Northern Ireland Secretary, had made little secret of his desire for the job. John Spellar, a senior whip and former Armed Forces Minister, was another name pressed on Mr Brown. However, it was Mr Knight who emerged as a front-runner. His candidature became so well advanced that the appointment came within an hour of being announced, according to one senior figure.
None of the three candidates, however, delivered much political capital to Mr Brown as he fought for his survival. In this fevered atmosphere it was the departure of the Farming Minister that proved decisive. Jane Kennedy’s resignation prompted fears among Mr Brown’s advisers that he was losing the support of a faction of Labour MPs to which she belongs. Generally on the right of the Parliamentary Labour Party, the group of MPs includes Alistair Darling, Geoff Hoon — and Mr Ainsworth.
Mr Ainsworth, then Armed Forces Minister, had been in the running from the off. It is likely that he was Mr Hutton’s recommendation as he offered continuity. Ms Kennedy’s departure and Mr Brown’s weakened position meant that the Prime Minister was no longer in a position to resist an appointment that would satisfy both defence chiefs and Labour MPs."
I'm willing to suspend judgement of Ainsworth until he's spent more time in the role - although, it has to be said, he has hardly impressed so far. But as for Brown: well, the story above is a crystallisation of his politics. There's the constant self-serving tribalism, of course; the dithering and doubt; and a disregard for the role of Defence Secretary which, as a leading article in today's Times suggests, reached a nadir when Des Browne was appointed joint Defence and Scottish Secretary. In the end, our troops deserve better.
Previous
AndyLeeds
July 14th, 2009 9:25am Report this comment'Our troops[, fighting a war, do] deserve better'. Too bloody true.
DavefromLuton
July 14th, 2009 9:28am Report this commentIf you are still not sure about his performance, read Ann Treneman - also in the Times today
Vulture
July 14th, 2009 9:30am Report this commentAs with everything he touches, Brown's behaviour displays an awesome mix of incompetence and breathtaking dereliction of duty.
Has Britain ever had a more despicable and discredited Prime Minister? To make the lives of brave young men the pawns and playthings of his petty politicking where all that matters is his survival in power for a few more months is beneath contempt.
strapworld
July 14th, 2009 9:32am Report this commentThe SUN's editorial, this morning, makes it quite plain, that whilst Brown is to blame, so are the tories for their cutting back of the defence budget.
The paper asks Cameron to detail what he is going to do! That is a very pertinent question.
When one considers that, in the midst of the Afghanistan war, the Conservatives told the people that only the NHS and Foreign Aid were the two area's were a Conservative Government would not make any cuts! Just what will happen to defence?
I sent an email to David Cameron, asking what he is going to do about defence. To date I have not had an answer to the question on defence spending (although he did reply about the EU and also about his pals in the shadow cabinet, who I believed should have been sacked over the expenses scandal-he doesn't!).
This is the opportunity for David Cameron to prove that the defence of the realm is of major importance to him and his future government.
Yes, he can just say how important it is to have a security and then full defence reviews. But that will not be good enough.
I, for one, want to hear of his commitment to the armed services. Yes, combine them and stop the ridiculous situation where you have three excellent services fighting each other for resources. Combine to create a greater single 'Her Majesty's Armed Services'. Whatever.
But Cameron cannot be seen to be, like this incompetent Prime Minister, in a bunker and just responding (poorly) to whatever crisis hits him today!
This is the time for Cameron to show real leadership, real vision and tell the people that our military has suffered too much under Labour and deserve better in every department. Be it pay,accomodation,
equipment and status.
Whilst Brown has created and expanded his benefit army.
Cameron can ensure that he will expand the Country's defence capabilities.
Come on David Cameron. Not next week, not tomorrow, You have to tell the Country your vision today!
Perhaps an open letter to ALL newspaper editors!
Colin
July 14th, 2009 9:33am Report this commentThe Labour Lies tag has stuck and done serious damage to the government. However, if played correctly, the scandal over funding for the Army and the procurement catastrophes at the MOD could see off Labour for a generation.
The appointment of Ainsworth and his lowly rank in cabinet are proof that, deep down, Brown has utter contempt for our armed forces. Cameron should crack on and strike with overwhelming force, now. The public will not equate the exposure of the failure of this awful Labour regime to properly fund our troops as playing politics, or being opportunistic.
In addition, there are plenty of chances to expose the incessant stream of lies from Brown and the government in relation to troop funding, Afghanistan strategy and MOD procurement. Brown is on the back foot on this. He knows he's vulnerable, his record on defence funding as chancellor is shocking. The Tories should conduct a forensic examination of the government's record over the past twelve years in relation to funding for our forces and publicize it at every opportunity. This is not some nebulous, westminster village issue, it is literally a matter of life and death.
kinglear
July 14th, 2009 9:36am Report this commentThey deserve much better from top to bottom
Short the UK
July 14th, 2009 9:37am Report this commentI was surprised when Fraser said he thought Mr Brown was a patriot. To me, there are two key areas that a democratic leader should put above all: the balance sheet & Armed Forces.
Mr Brown has neglected both and that is why I think he is not a patriot.
I am beooming more disgusted by the Tories who just cannot show leadership and get ahead of the curve. They failed the leadership test on the economy and now with Afghanistan they are found wanting.
It was very refreshing to see someone who gets it on Newsnight: Rory Stewart.
It is sad say but this country is going down the toilet. Tony "the messiah" Blair has left a horrific legacy. The media elite should really start laying into the trickster.
W L L Lambeth
July 14th, 2009 9:50am Report this commentBrown was Chancellor when the troops suffered from shortages of boots, weapons, ammunition and bullet proof vests. The shortages of helicopters and bomb proof vehicles is again down to him.
His unctuous reading out of the names of the dead at PMQs is sheer hypocrisy of the worst order. Unsuitable conduct for a Son of the Manse.
JB
July 14th, 2009 10:15am Report this commentKey elements of this story cannot possibly be true. Bob Ainsworth's appointment was announced on the Friday, and Jane Kennedy did not resign until the following Monday. So Kennedy's resignation could not have influenced Ainsworth's appointment.
This is a pretty basic, and easily checkable, fact. The Times journalists should be embarrassed to have printed something so obviously false.
TomTom
July 14th, 2009 10:34am Report this commentAinsworth - from International Marxist Group to "rightwing" ? What is he - a reversed Bercowite ?
strapworld
July 14th, 2009 10:35am Report this commentW L L Lambeth.
Agree, yet neither Brown nor Col. Blimp Aintworthit had the decency to read out the names of the dead soldiers. That fell to David Cameron.
Full marks to Cameron.
Let us see if Brown and Co are in attendance this morning when the
bodies of those brave lads (Three eighteen year olds!!) arrive home.
I will not hold my breath. The coward is probably in some kindergarten somewhere!
Mrs B
July 14th, 2009 10:37am Report this commentI too thought Rory Stewart on Newsnight was excellent His assessment was spot on. We need a completely new re-evaluation of what we are trying to achieve in Afganistan and while we wait more teenage soldiers will be killed. "Lions led by donkeys."
JONNY
July 14th, 2009 10:41am Report this commentThere's the Bob and then there's the Bill.
The Bill of Bill Rammell (spelt right?) who disgraced himself on Newsnight last night with a truly pathetic performance.
So now with Afghanistan in the full glaring spotlight, we have the fabulous Bob'nBill Act in the MoD.
Two jokers and a bad one too.
Incidentally isn't it time that David Miliband did his stint in the field in Helmand Province? And put his pink skin and marvellous brain where his garrulous mouth is.
There are good precedents from WW1 and WW2 for ministers and MPs serving in the front line.
The Laughing Cavalier
July 14th, 2009 10:48am Report this commentAn 84% increase of bugger all is still bugger all.
Let us not forget that in 2004 it was Chancellor Brown who kiboshed the £1.4 bn spending programme for helicopters.
Let us also remember that when General Sir Richard Dannat asked for 2,000 troops, Brown wouldn't give them to him but let him have just 700 on a short only term basis.
Irene
July 14th, 2009 10:51am Report this commentI think this is the perfect moment for Cameron to be bold and make an announcement saying that the Defence Budget will be increased and as a consequence the NHS & Education budget will have to be adjusted accordingly - I think the public, given the mood at the moment would accept that - of course Labour will say that they will increase all 3, so it is risky.
And why isn't anyone from the Government there to meet the bodies being returned, surely someone could attend.
David Boothroyd
July 14th, 2009 10:53am Report this commentRead the last line again: "an appointment that would satisfy both defence chiefs and Labour MPs." Ainsworth has spent a long time in the MoD and is very much appreciated.
Cabinet rankings actually mean next to nothing. The only reason why Bob Ainsworth is low in them is that he is new to the cabinet. It does not mean he is any less effective a Secretary of State.
Angry of SE1
July 14th, 2009 10:55am Report this commentOn ITN last night Brown was asked a direct question about whether the army had enough helicopters. As usual, he chose to answer a different question (which had not been asked) - Were those killed yesterday killed due to a lack of Helicopters. when pressed, Brown repeated that those killed this week had not been killed due to a lack of Helicopters but this was not the question. Clearly the lack of helicopters is something on which he has no answer!
His performance was as dismal as usual with the awkward gurning and equally awkward hand signals and he looked washed up. The icing on the cake was when he assured us that if our troops stopped fighting in Afghanistan it would mean attrocities on the streets of the UK????
Is their any evidence for this?
Ray
July 14th, 2009 10:58am Report this commentBah! All these pesky soldiers pestering our Prime Minister for more helicopters and better patrol vehicles at a time when he is trying to devote more cash to really important issues like equality in the workplace for northerners, and putting more 'healthy eating' advisors into schools. :-)
Ken
July 14th, 2009 11:19am Report this comment@ Colin: Indeed.
See Daily Politics for Labour lies and bluster at its worst:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRwVV9fQSk0
Mark C
July 14th, 2009 11:29am Report this commentLooks like "mission accomplished" for Brown with the armed services and the nation's finances. Next target - the public schools!
John Law
July 14th, 2009 12:32pm Report this commentLabours' problem in selecting any minister, is that there is scarcely a labour MP fit to run a whelk stall.
The appointment will be an EU issue in about 5 years. The UK Parliament will be lucky to be consulted over the Home Guard team at Warmington on Sea
Derek
July 14th, 2009 1:47pm Report this commentI hope that Coffee Housers will take a few minutes to read the all too brief journal of Lieutenant Mark Evison, late of the Welsh Guards, published today by the Daily Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/5820679/Mark-Evison-We-are-walking-a-tightrope-in-Afghanistan.html). After reflecting on the qualities of the man lost, they might like to consider the deficiencies of supply and the lack of a clearly defined mission which the document illuminates. The Ministry of Defence for instance seems unable to have found funds for a satellite telephone...Some one had blunder'd
Michael Booth
July 14th, 2009 3:07pm Report this commentIf, in any other walk of life, my incompetence led to the death or injury of others, I would face criminal prosecution. Why then does this not apply to Mr Blair, Mr Brown and Co? I vote for state trials - be good to see Westminster Hall used for something truly worthwhile.
Mirtha Tidville
July 14th, 2009 3:41pm Report this commentJust want to say I agree with every word of Strapworld. The goal is open but Cameron still fannys about..useless...
As for Cyclops..well he`s just beyond words..
TrevorsDen
July 14th, 2009 4:48pm Report this comment"whilst Brown is to blame, so are the tories for their cutting back of the defence budget." --- HUH? Labour have been in power for 12 years.
Its LABOUR who have asked our troops to invade Iraq and support Afghanistan. THEY are responsible for supplying the right equipment and overseeing the right tactics.
What will Cameron do? He will and can only do what the present government ought to do. Belatedly. The point is it is not the Tories who are months behind the game.
The Tories do not have a magic wand. More helicopters will need more support and training. They cannot be wished into survive immediately. So saying 'what will the tories do is a totally fatuous question. Thats why Paxman asks it.
We do not have enough helicopters or MRAPs. The govt and the MoD are incompetent in supplying the right equipment (analogous to supplying an adequate tank in WW2).
People should realise its not simply money its competence. Hundreds of millions of pounds have been spent on simply evaluating the specification for the proposed FRES group of vehicles (which would be no use in Afghanistan anyway) - and thats before they are ordered (unlikely anyway now)
Andylynn
July 14th, 2009 10:26pm Report this commentAllies need big helicopters to operate far from home. These should have been ordered years ago... not aircraft carriers. That said Afghanistan and it's asymmetric 'conflict' probably requires a total rethink along the lines Rory Stewart suggested on newsnight last night. Or we will lose hundreds more and achieve nothing
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