DO NOT FORGET!

The REAL debate on the TA is now on Wednesday this week - the Conservatives have called it, and it's not an EDM like the Mark Lancaster one. This is the real deal - so keep those letters to MPs going.

And here's how to do it: www.theyworkforyou.com

And this is what you might like to include: Mention how long you have been in the TA, what you have done, how you have benefited and what impact 5 months of unpaid training will have on you and your fellow soldiers. You may like to comment on the effect it may have on the perception of UK's standing globally.

Details here on the parliamentary calendar: http://services.parliament.uk/calendar/

MSR

Whilst I applaud the dedication you guys are showing, this is Land's decision and not the MPs.

We must recognise that in the grand scheme of things, the TA isn't the MoD's biggest priority. Therefore, the best case scenario is that the Government draws down on funding from other departments, gives it to the MoD and tells them to ringfence is for the TA.

This is a political points scoring exercise, not a resolution to our problem.

If Land / MOD wanted to find the money, it'd be forthcoming.
As someone has already posted elsewhere, this smacks of a diversionary tactic to keep pet projects alive just long enough for the General Election to be called, and then they can be 'culled' by the incoming Government with no political loss of face for Broon/Mandlebrum/commie party UK.

I'd doubt the actual idea came from a serving soldier, more likely a pet civil serpent, hell bent on doing his masters bidding with a promise of a peerage at some point later in career.

Well I had a response to my e-mail to Hazel Blears today:

Dear Mr 81cufc

I am just writing further to your recent email with regard to the budget cuts for Territorial Army training.

I am very sympathetic to your concerns and I am delighted at your commitment to the Territoral Army. It is vital that no TA soldier will be deployed on operations unless the Army is satisfied that the soldier is properly trained and prepared.

Please rest assured that I have contacted the Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth and raised your concerns with him. I shall press him on this issue and will of course get back in touch with you when I receive a response.

Thank you very much for raising this important matter with me.

Best wishes

Hazel

Originally Posted by OldSnowy

DO NOT FORGET!

The REAL debate on the TA is now on Wednesday this week - the Conservatives have called it, and it's not an EDM like the Mark Lancaster one. This is the real deal - so keep those letters to MPs going.

What time is the show starting? Going to get my popcorn and beers on standby :D

Footage from Daily Politics show today;

Clickety

Full Prime minister's questions today;

Gordy

Got the debate on in the background.....

Despite the decision on reversing the funding cut has been made, they are still going at it......Not really listening to the debate at the moment, as I am having impure thoughts about Chloe Smith MP for Norwich North :D

They made Bob( the man with no shame) Ainsworth look a right cnut

Democracy in action! Hazel Blears rang me tonight.

It turns out her brother was in the REME, so she wasn't happy about this anyway; however the fact it effected her constituents gave her something with which to confront the armed forces minister.

I told her that we as a force are happy that the funds have been found & informed her of the depth of feeling amongst Arrsers! She even acknowledged the wider problem of ensuring next & following years budgets are more appropriate to ensure no repeat of this.

A tick in the win column if ya ask me.