Paralysis in Government!

September 2006

I believe it is totally unforgivable that at the same time as we have British servicemen and women putting their lives on the line in Iraq and in Afghanistan, we have a Prime Minister, a Chancellor and it seems virtually the whole governing party at war with itself.

The Labour party now needs to resolve these matters very swiftly, not in almost a year’s time for the good of the country. Otherwise paralysis will soon engulf the Government as jockeying for position in the leadership race takes place and few decisions are made or action taken. Prime Minister and Chancellor, I call upon you to think of the bigger picture and not yourselves – not least for our brave men and women in the armed forces.

And while on the subject of defence, it was tremendous to have the privilege and the pleasure to be present at the Naval Base ten days ago at the naming ceremony for HMS Clyde. What an achievement for the workforce, for the management, and for every single person who played a part in getting this ship built on budget and on time. What a star attraction HMS Clyde was and what an asset she will be to the Royal Navy! It also sent a strong message of the commitment of the workforce here in Portsmouth. The city’s Naval Base is undoubtedly the emotional and traditional home of the Royal Navy having playing a very significant role in the defence of our country over centuries.

What alarms me is that all of this now at risk due to the inept bungling once again of the Ministry of Defence. The Naval Base, though, has a committed and skilled workforce and as HMS Clyde shows, we also have a highly professional, newly rekindled ship building and repair industry locally. So, as the top brass make choices over the coming year, I hope they will remember not only Portsmouth Naval Base’s proud and historic past but also how it is delivering an excellent service for the Royal Navy today. I believe that they will then realise it can have a great future. And I will certainly be doing all that I can to convince them of that.