My question is:

"Will a Conservative government scrap the proposed Trident 2 program and therefore make available these potential funds for the wider defence budget (by that I refer to the current operational part of the defence budget)?"

You never know we might get a straight answer

I have also posted this one regarding veterans, its close to my heart

"Will a Conservative government finally embrace this country's debt of gratitude to all veterans (with a caveat regarding those who did not make it out of basic training, sorry but the line has to be drawn..." Show more »"Will a Conservative government finally embrace this country's debt of gratitude to all veterans (with a caveat regarding those who did not make it out of basic training, sorry but the line has to be drawn somewhere IMHO) and perhaps look to the USA as a benchmark for treatment and acknowledgement of veterans in recent years?"

Originally Posted by jim30

My three questions for Liam Fox are below:

1.Given the commitment to holding a Strategic Defence Review, how does the Shadow Minister propose to sequence it? The Department faces a planning round this year (PR11) which will lead to yet more swingeing cuts in the forces in order to try and balance the budget (described by many senior military and civilian staff as the worst budget crisis in living memory).
Does he intend to hold the SDR before the planning round, and then make cuts afterwards, thus undermining the assumptions on which SDR delivers, or does he intend to make swingeing cuts to the forces via the Planning Round and then use the SDR to fashion a strategy out of what is left? Alternatively will he conduct PR11 in synch with the SDR and deliver a cost driven policy review?



2. Why in the Tories national security strategy paper, does the party advocate the formation of a permanent joint headquarters style organisation to handle UK operations, including MACA and terrorism? Such an organisation has been in existence for nearly 10 years, and is called HQ Standing Joint Commander (UK). It is a purple organisation, based at HQ Land, and exists to do exactly this sort of job. Doesn’t the Shadow Minister think it is odd to put forward a policy to do something that already exists? (More to the point, I am still waiting for his security adviser to contact me after I emailed his office to point this out!)
3. Why is the Shadow Minister so hostile to the MOD Civil Service? Does he understand how concerned many military and civilian staff are at his efforts to portray the MOD CS as an enemy to HM Forces (as seen at the last conference). This constant belittling of MOD CS staff is divisive, and insulting to the thousands of staff who have volunteered and served in operational theatres. It is also insulting to those who make huge efforts to support Defence, and that his portrayal of an organisation of desk bound bureaucrats is utterly false. Does he realise that less than 2.5% of MOD CS staff work in London, and the majority are industrial or other workers who exist to do the essential jobs in Defence, without which the armed forces could not function? Does he understand that making major cuts to the MOD CS will harm Defence as a whole?
Delighted to offer my services as impartial advisor to the future defence team �

Jim,

When he talks about cuts, he is already clear - on what was the Portillo policy which was to outsource everything except policy advice. Then along came Tony and Gordon - its just a question for them of dusting off, which he has clearly done.

Anything that is process is up for grabs for being Serco'd. Procurement is process and first in line - you might think that Defence Estates etc. will be in the same boat - so to speak.

Funny old thing - passing procurement to a single prime contractor might get savings, overheads.... over my head?

Only Fast Streamers in the future, no need for anyone else..... MIDIOT or otherwise.

Originally Posted by Arte_et_Marte

I have submitted this old chestnut.

"I have a simple question. Will you scrap the notion of a National Defence Medal? Money set aside for such a pointless piece of tin would in my opinion be better spent on other Veterans issues such as rehabilitation, PTSD care, and housing. Could I also just mention that the build quality of the current Veterans badge is shameful."

I bet that subject will be right at the very top of his "To do" list. The outcome of this question could change the face of Defence for a decade. You will only improve the build quality when we create a whole new wing at Abbey Wood and re-configure the UK Industrial base.

Originally Posted by Herrumph

Originally Posted by Arte_et_Marte

I have submitted this old chestnut.

"I have a simple question. Will you scrap the notion of a National Defence Medal? Money set aside for such a pointless piece of tin would in my opinion be better spent on other Veterans issues such as rehabilitation, PTSD care, and housing. Could I also just mention that the build quality of the current Veterans badge is shameful."

I bet that subject will be right at the very top of his "To do" list. The outcome of this question could change the face of Defence for a decade. You will only improve the build quality when we create a whole new wing at Abbey Wood and re-configure the UK Industrial base.

You are, as usual, correct Mr Sarcastic.

But at least I am bothering.

I have asked: How would the Conservative Party improve Service Voting provisions?

GBTD

We could always ask "Will a future Conservative Defence Secretary commit to stopping making stupid statements to the press about military matters for political advantage."

http://www.arrse.co.uk/Forums/viewtopic/t=146358.html

Don't see it going down too well in the spin, rinse and spin again forum of modern politik.

A quick bump for this - The question answering session will be tomorrow after lunch so today is the last chance to ask questions or vote for existing questions via:

Our Yoosk Page

The MoD has just announced the cutting of the Advanced Research & Assessment Branch, an organisation which for 40 years, has undertaken advanced analysis of international threats and opportunities for UK Armed Forces and OGDs - often contributing directly to operations. Indeed Major General Andrew Mackay noted it was the ONLY organisation in the MoD able to assist him with his operational design in 2007. With the only certainty of the future being uncertainty does the Shadow Secretary of State have a view on this decision and would he highlight what, if anything, a conservative government would set up in its place that offers the same levels of innovation, adaptation and expertise.

Have you actually asked that on our Yoosk site?