On January 17th 2007 my colleagues at RAF Cosford learned that their bid for the Defence Training Review had been rejected in favour of a new "Super Site" in St Athan, Wales. This meant that they faced an uncertain future, as many are unable or unwilling to make the move to Wales. They also faced and still do the prospect of privatisation. Although I only mention Cosford, it isn't the only site that will be expected to relocate.
This Saturday a demonstration in Cardiff has been called by the 'St Athan's Military Academy Campaign'. The event is supported by 'UK Stop the War Coalition' and many other organisations. Different organisations have different reasons for objecting to the proposed Military Academy.
From the PCS point of view there are several issues; risk to the front line, loss of skills, compulsory redundancy, lack of accountability and cost to the local economies. A detailed account of the concerns can be found here.
A personal take - do we really want the Defence of our country in private hands?
This Saturday a demonstration in Cardiff has been called by the 'St Athan's Military Academy Campaign'. The event is supported by 'UK Stop the War Coalition' and many other organisations. Different organisations have different reasons for objecting to the proposed Military Academy.
From the PCS point of view there are several issues; risk to the front line, loss of skills, compulsory redundancy, lack of accountability and cost to the local economies. A detailed account of the concerns can be found here.
A personal take - do we really want the Defence of our country in private hands?
12 comments:
I lived at St Athan for many years..in another life
BTW how did you get cheries place sign onto blog i cannot seem to get sally's world sign :-(
I did a screenshot of the page and made a jpg image, if you give me your link I can make the image for you :-)
A privatised army. That's a scary thought. Even more so than Blair-army!
Liz - Our life in their hands...
To the last question - it's certainly going that way, like Blackwater in the U.S. Bad move.
I have never heard of it all before now.
James - In my opinion it is a really bad move!
Nunyaa - I guess it isn't something that would make news outside of the UK even though there are some big companies involved.
I find the idea of wide scale privatisation unsettling. Is your area on strike today? Members in my department are out (I hope my colleagues aren't scabbing anyway)
Jams - I find the idea of privatisation unsettling too. No we weren't out on strike today our department has gone back to the negotiating table, so it is a case of watch this space.
I wouldn't have thought so - a privatised army scares the hell out of me!
I agree Welshcakes!
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