A chilling subject title but one that has been stated this weekend by General Lord Guthrie, former Chief of the Defence Staff who has "criticised the Government for not putting the country onto a war footing."
It is indeed a worrying factor when viewing the underlying reasons for that statement. In short, and as we have seen this weekend with yet another four soldiers killed in action, that we are most certainly at war.
For those who seek to draw a comparison with the former Northern Ireland Troubles - stop there. There is no comparison. In the Province we dealt with sectarian violence. In Afghanistan we are dealing with all out war.
Any of our troops will be only too well aware that they are engaged in a war. It is only the people back at home that seem to be unaware.
Nevertheless, there is a stirring amongst sections of the population.
On the one hand, we yearn to bring our troops back, but on the other hand, to do so would be extreme folly.
We have to defeat the Teleban. There is no negotiation with such people.
For those who seek to find a reason to negotiate, I would say this. Go ahead and negotiate all you like. But do not expect me to back a regime and religion that sees its Parliament pass a law this week permitting men to starve their wives should their wives refuse to allow them to have sex with them.
We are of course dealing with different cultures, different approaches to life and different moral standards, and none of us can claim the moral high ground, especially with this evening's BBC Radio 4 news reports of our own direct involvement in acts of rendition, the new buzz word for what my generation calls physical and mental torture.
Regardless of the circumstances, there is no justification for rendition.
I am very concerned but at least the matter is being publicly debated.
That of course is one of the great advantages of the democratic freedom that we, in the UK, take for granted.
Let us therefore persist in our determination to overcome tyranny and to quietly go about reforming Parliament but without any more witch hunts.
Kenneth T Webb
The Editor
Liverpool CityLife
18.8.2009
Monday, 17 August 2009
Sunday, 16 August 2009
Where has Diplomacy, Tact and Respect Gone?
This weekend we have seen the Duchess of York vilified during a BBC radio Interview and to such an extent that Her Grace has, quite understandably, served notice that she will not venture to work again with British Television.
That is appalling. Entering one of the most notorious estates in Manchester was always going to bring criticism from some, but it saddens me that the general public reach for the text message or that dreaded send button to the BBC and despatch unkind words written in the heat of the moment, or use the phone in to speak a load of self-righteous bumpf that is clearly giving them an ego trip. I do not like people like that. They are false.
I for one am proud of the work that the Duchess of York undertakes, and I am ashamed of my peers.
There is far too much familiarity in society. We certainly do not want to return to the old days; but we do need respectability, diplomacy and tact. These were once taught ordinarily in our schools and through our parents. They are the cement in the bricks.
Sadly these barely exist in some sections of the population.
I was in Preston this week and found it summed up in a young overweight over-indulgant constable with his hands in his pockets chewing gum and leaning up against the wall by the Debenhams entrance. That says it all. A scruff bag and it made me feel ashamed to be a member of the National Association of Retired Police Officers.
In today's leading articles are we over-reacting to the revelation that the leader of the Conservative Party has been taking advantage of flights from prominent business people?
Are we slipping into a McCarthyite style witch-hunt?
I sincerely hope not. For we are losing sight of what we are about and we have got troops out in Afghanistan sacrificing everything for us.
Kenneth T Webb
Editor
Liverpool CityLife
That is appalling. Entering one of the most notorious estates in Manchester was always going to bring criticism from some, but it saddens me that the general public reach for the text message or that dreaded send button to the BBC and despatch unkind words written in the heat of the moment, or use the phone in to speak a load of self-righteous bumpf that is clearly giving them an ego trip. I do not like people like that. They are false.
I for one am proud of the work that the Duchess of York undertakes, and I am ashamed of my peers.
There is far too much familiarity in society. We certainly do not want to return to the old days; but we do need respectability, diplomacy and tact. These were once taught ordinarily in our schools and through our parents. They are the cement in the bricks.
Sadly these barely exist in some sections of the population.
I was in Preston this week and found it summed up in a young overweight over-indulgant constable with his hands in his pockets chewing gum and leaning up against the wall by the Debenhams entrance. That says it all. A scruff bag and it made me feel ashamed to be a member of the National Association of Retired Police Officers.
In today's leading articles are we over-reacting to the revelation that the leader of the Conservative Party has been taking advantage of flights from prominent business people?
Are we slipping into a McCarthyite style witch-hunt?
I sincerely hope not. For we are losing sight of what we are about and we have got troops out in Afghanistan sacrificing everything for us.
Kenneth T Webb
Editor
Liverpool CityLife
Saturday, 8 August 2009
Our Armed Forces
It is indeed worrying to read today that one considered view is that we are likely to be involved in Afghanistan for at least 40 years.
I can however understand why it would be nothing short of catastrophic to world peace for the Allies to pull out now. Whether we like it or not, we are waging a war that is becoming increasingly fearsome and sophisticated.
But what troubles me more than anything is the suggestion by the Foreign Secretary that we should be prepared to see some form of negotiation with the more moderate element of the Taleban. With respect, by its very definition, the Taleban is not moderate.
It reminds me of that vociferous minority of people, including the Foreign Secretary of the time, who insisted that we could negotiate with the more moderate elements of the Nazis even though time and again in the preceding years we had been outwitted by that bunch of thugs that masqueraded as moderate democratic government.
We paid a heavy price.
We must stand firm. We must back our Armed Forces and we must give them the proper equipment, manpower and resources to fight this war.
The public are beginning, just, to obtain an incline of the savagery of battle in Hellmand Province when we see the news reports from RAF Lyneham and Wootten Basset.
We must back our field hospitals and we must insist that our wounded troops, upon return to the UK, are given the best medical treatment and after care.
Parliament must put a stop to the disgraceful spectacle of attempting to cut back on compensation awarded to members of our Armed Forces.
Kenneth T Webb
Editor
Liverpool CityLife
I can however understand why it would be nothing short of catastrophic to world peace for the Allies to pull out now. Whether we like it or not, we are waging a war that is becoming increasingly fearsome and sophisticated.
But what troubles me more than anything is the suggestion by the Foreign Secretary that we should be prepared to see some form of negotiation with the more moderate element of the Taleban. With respect, by its very definition, the Taleban is not moderate.
It reminds me of that vociferous minority of people, including the Foreign Secretary of the time, who insisted that we could negotiate with the more moderate elements of the Nazis even though time and again in the preceding years we had been outwitted by that bunch of thugs that masqueraded as moderate democratic government.
We paid a heavy price.
We must stand firm. We must back our Armed Forces and we must give them the proper equipment, manpower and resources to fight this war.
The public are beginning, just, to obtain an incline of the savagery of battle in Hellmand Province when we see the news reports from RAF Lyneham and Wootten Basset.
We must back our field hospitals and we must insist that our wounded troops, upon return to the UK, are given the best medical treatment and after care.
Parliament must put a stop to the disgraceful spectacle of attempting to cut back on compensation awarded to members of our Armed Forces.
Kenneth T Webb
Editor
Liverpool CityLife
Sunday, 14 June 2009
THE DUST SETTLES
There is no doubt at all that the Leader of the House, Harriet Harman, has expressed the events of the last few weeks as being traumatic, and I am sure that history will show that this period is one of the most important milestones in this Country's evolution and development in the 21st Century.
I have not at all been comfortable with the apparent 'bloodletting' that some sections of the media have taken to parodying in reporting the events of Westminster whether it be to do with Expenses or the ousting of the sitting Premier.
And I am still bemused by the manner in which a Secretary of State should depart the Government on the eve of highly important elections and to do so with such self assurance, only to then be interviewed a week later and be expressing such regrets.
At the day's end we live in a parliamentary democracy and one which works well and in which the electorate are well able to exercise their wisdom and judgment when it comes to dealing with very serious problems and which threaten to undermine the life and stability of the United Kingdom.
But the cement is in the bricks.
We are repointing, and I am confident that we will, all of us, set about restoring Parliament's standing and authority and returning members that will be truly representing the interests of all constituents. Public service means public duty. It is good to know that a clear warning has gone out from the great British Public - that serving one's self will not be keeping a member in office for very long.
I recall about two years ago watching a pavement interview in which the Foreign Secretary was asked whether the withdrawal of a coin of the realm was a matter to be put to the people as the intended withdrawal was upsetting a large section of the population. I recall the reply to the effect that the government had been elected, and they cannot keep going back for endorsement by the people on every issue. The government had the mandate to govern. At the time I remember feeling uneasy. I felt as if I was being ridden roughshod - that my views would count for nothing. Multiply this by, say, many millions feeling similarly, and are we not in danger of seeing a government no longer in touch with the people that elected it? Has it drifted into those very dangerous waters of arrogance and 'we know better'?
I think perhaps as we all see a very chastened and humbled new Cabinet this week, that suddenly every Member of Parliament whether or not in office realises one very important factor is in play: public accountability.
I am pleased to see that the Prime Minister can now get on with governing the country and hopefully with people who are loyal.
I am also pleased that Lord Mandelson has been able to hold things together. I will be unpopular for saying this, but I have great respect for this man. He has done much for this country but as so often happens in politics, these are not truly understood or appreciated until many decades have passed.
Watching the President of Iran's News Conference today was interesting. A few years ago that would have been impossible to imagine. But the religious undertone throughout the session as well as religion being used to define what is acceptable and unacceptable democracy is a very clear signal to all of us that whilst religion most surely has an important role to play, we must not forget what happened to the Puritan Era in this country. Keep them apart.
As for that benighted group of people, the BNP, I think already Nick Griffin has learned that being an elected member of such an obnoxious organisation is not a pleasant position to be in after all. What he and his cronies are learning rather fast is that the People of Britain might well be dissatisfied with their politicians, the democratic process etc, but it is this same British People that stands resolute against any form of fascism. It is no good them hiding behind the banner of too liberal an immigration policy. Parliament has already got the drift of what the people think on this score. But we are a free and open society and the BNP, like all groups, can enjoy the freedom to express their views.
But that doesn't mean we agree with them.
Despite declaring war on Germany in September 1939, the Government did not move to outlaw Mosley's Blackshirts until the following summer, and only then, at the height of the Battle of Britain when they decided to march down Whitehall with their Nazi paraphenalia - and even then it took two weeks to implement it. I wonder if certain other countries would tolerate such provocation?
That is the substance of all of us in the UK.
Let us now rebuild Parliament and restore confidence in our institutions and also restore the confidence of individual MPs who, let's face it, haver taken one hell of a trucking.
Kenneth T Webb
Editor
Liverpool CityLife
14 June 2009
LIVERPOOL
I have not at all been comfortable with the apparent 'bloodletting' that some sections of the media have taken to parodying in reporting the events of Westminster whether it be to do with Expenses or the ousting of the sitting Premier.
And I am still bemused by the manner in which a Secretary of State should depart the Government on the eve of highly important elections and to do so with such self assurance, only to then be interviewed a week later and be expressing such regrets.
At the day's end we live in a parliamentary democracy and one which works well and in which the electorate are well able to exercise their wisdom and judgment when it comes to dealing with very serious problems and which threaten to undermine the life and stability of the United Kingdom.
But the cement is in the bricks.
We are repointing, and I am confident that we will, all of us, set about restoring Parliament's standing and authority and returning members that will be truly representing the interests of all constituents. Public service means public duty. It is good to know that a clear warning has gone out from the great British Public - that serving one's self will not be keeping a member in office for very long.
I recall about two years ago watching a pavement interview in which the Foreign Secretary was asked whether the withdrawal of a coin of the realm was a matter to be put to the people as the intended withdrawal was upsetting a large section of the population. I recall the reply to the effect that the government had been elected, and they cannot keep going back for endorsement by the people on every issue. The government had the mandate to govern. At the time I remember feeling uneasy. I felt as if I was being ridden roughshod - that my views would count for nothing. Multiply this by, say, many millions feeling similarly, and are we not in danger of seeing a government no longer in touch with the people that elected it? Has it drifted into those very dangerous waters of arrogance and 'we know better'?
I think perhaps as we all see a very chastened and humbled new Cabinet this week, that suddenly every Member of Parliament whether or not in office realises one very important factor is in play: public accountability.
I am pleased to see that the Prime Minister can now get on with governing the country and hopefully with people who are loyal.
I am also pleased that Lord Mandelson has been able to hold things together. I will be unpopular for saying this, but I have great respect for this man. He has done much for this country but as so often happens in politics, these are not truly understood or appreciated until many decades have passed.
Watching the President of Iran's News Conference today was interesting. A few years ago that would have been impossible to imagine. But the religious undertone throughout the session as well as religion being used to define what is acceptable and unacceptable democracy is a very clear signal to all of us that whilst religion most surely has an important role to play, we must not forget what happened to the Puritan Era in this country. Keep them apart.
As for that benighted group of people, the BNP, I think already Nick Griffin has learned that being an elected member of such an obnoxious organisation is not a pleasant position to be in after all. What he and his cronies are learning rather fast is that the People of Britain might well be dissatisfied with their politicians, the democratic process etc, but it is this same British People that stands resolute against any form of fascism. It is no good them hiding behind the banner of too liberal an immigration policy. Parliament has already got the drift of what the people think on this score. But we are a free and open society and the BNP, like all groups, can enjoy the freedom to express their views.
But that doesn't mean we agree with them.
Despite declaring war on Germany in September 1939, the Government did not move to outlaw Mosley's Blackshirts until the following summer, and only then, at the height of the Battle of Britain when they decided to march down Whitehall with their Nazi paraphenalia - and even then it took two weeks to implement it. I wonder if certain other countries would tolerate such provocation?
That is the substance of all of us in the UK.
Let us now rebuild Parliament and restore confidence in our institutions and also restore the confidence of individual MPs who, let's face it, haver taken one hell of a trucking.
Kenneth T Webb
Editor
Liverpool CityLife
14 June 2009
LIVERPOOL
Wednesday, 27 May 2009
Our Democracy and Freedom
It was marvellous to see the Liner Rotterdam of the Holland America Line in port last evening. And even more exciting was its departure and the many hundreds of people who came down to Pier Head to see her depart.
It is an awesome sight, to hear the great blasts of the horns and then the lower but equally powerful blasts from other ships in port, in reply. The air is charged with excitement and expectation and here, for the first time since 1966, we see the Transatlantic Crossing restored.
It is one thing to watch a liner leave port on a cruise, it is quite another, to watch a liner depart because she is destined for 'The New World'.
We are living in very fearful times and my heart goes out to India and the families in Lahore. I equally take the view that we must, through the United Nations, take an extremely firm line with North Korea.
We cannot allow terrorism to obtain the upper hand. Whether they be living in mountain ranges and wearing irregular dress or at the opposite end large armies marching that horrid goose step - the democracies must stand firm and stand up to these benighted people.
It is therefore a relief to see that on this occasion at least, The US President has, with the backing of both Russia and China, been able to warn North Korea. In diplomatic circles that is a tremendous accomplishment and serves to remind us of the very dangerous game being acted out now on the world stage.
Let us also not overlook the outrageous trial in Burma of the lawfully elected opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
I am proud of my military background, but I am even more proud of the fact that we dislike intensely any form of government that is not civilian. In our democracies we too have powerful generals, air marshals and admirals; but unlike some states, the final decision still lies with a man or woman, lawfully elected, to say yes or no to the plans they put forward. It keeps the military firmly in context and recognises the civil power.
Kenneth T Webb
Editor and Publisher
Liverpool CityLife
27 May 2009
It is an awesome sight, to hear the great blasts of the horns and then the lower but equally powerful blasts from other ships in port, in reply. The air is charged with excitement and expectation and here, for the first time since 1966, we see the Transatlantic Crossing restored.
It is one thing to watch a liner leave port on a cruise, it is quite another, to watch a liner depart because she is destined for 'The New World'.
We are living in very fearful times and my heart goes out to India and the families in Lahore. I equally take the view that we must, through the United Nations, take an extremely firm line with North Korea.
We cannot allow terrorism to obtain the upper hand. Whether they be living in mountain ranges and wearing irregular dress or at the opposite end large armies marching that horrid goose step - the democracies must stand firm and stand up to these benighted people.
It is therefore a relief to see that on this occasion at least, The US President has, with the backing of both Russia and China, been able to warn North Korea. In diplomatic circles that is a tremendous accomplishment and serves to remind us of the very dangerous game being acted out now on the world stage.
Let us also not overlook the outrageous trial in Burma of the lawfully elected opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
I am proud of my military background, but I am even more proud of the fact that we dislike intensely any form of government that is not civilian. In our democracies we too have powerful generals, air marshals and admirals; but unlike some states, the final decision still lies with a man or woman, lawfully elected, to say yes or no to the plans they put forward. It keeps the military firmly in context and recognises the civil power.
Kenneth T Webb
Editor and Publisher
Liverpool CityLife
27 May 2009
Tuesday, 26 May 2009
May 26 2009
I'm glad the weekend is over for these bank holidays can sometimes be too long. For many businesses of course they mean a great deal of wealth being generated; for others though, they can drain the resources, with the firm's cashflow being drained and less days left in the month to make up potential shortfalls.
It is one of the problems we British people have with the long Christmas and New Year breaks, that cause whole businesses to effectively shut down production for up to 15 days in some cases (especially the printing industry).
There is work to be done and a purpose to fulfil, nonetheless, and we as a people must set about ordering our affairs and preparing for an exciting future.
The recession is causing tremendous hardship to millions of people. Like myself, many have lost their businesses, livelihoods, private wealth - everything. But that is not a reason to give in, even though I freely admit that the worse time of the day is the awakening each morning.
Families are under terrible strain. But with good leadership and a common bond we can hold together; and this is already starting when we see how the people are calling our elected representatives to account.
No one wants a witch hunt, and at times I am very fearful of that. But out of this disgraceful mismnanagement of parliamentary affairs will come a renewed Parliament that will set about repointing the bricks and mortar. One of our greatest parliamentarians, Sir Winston Churchill, was also a master bricklayer. He would have made it clear to us all that we need to rebuild our broken down wall; repoint the bricks and make safe again the precincts and corridors of power.
There is a move in the nation - and here I mean the United Kingdom - to do just that. Our Constitution is the envy of many regimes; and our parliament has long been the mother of parliaments.
It is for us all now to exercise our democratic right and duty, and use our vote. Let us not waste our vote; whether it be at local, national or European level. Make it count. Most families in this country will find that if they go back three generations, they will find that their own loved ones will have sacrificed their lives for our freedoms.
We are easily reminded of the import of such sacrifices when we look at the return of our own men and women in coffins draped with the Union Flag on a regular basis. Let us not do them an injustice by acting frivolously.
Let us also guard all communities within these islands.
Let no community or section of the community be singled out. Let there be no toleration by any of us of that ominous phrase reported this week of 'voluntary repatriation'.
Let us all work hard together for a better country for our children and grandchildren - and be proud that we are that people that has stood up for freedom and called our politicians to account. But let us do it with dignity and candour.
Surely, Thursday evening Question Time has come of age and rendered the most amazing service to people within the UK but, I suspect, far beyond our shores too. For as the British so often do and without intention, we tend to set precedents that the world then follows on.
Kenneth T Webb
Editor and Publisher
Liverpool CityLife
I'm glad the weekend is over for these bank holidays can sometimes be too long. For many businesses of course they mean a great deal of wealth being generated; for others though, they can drain the resources, with the firm's cashflow being drained and less days left in the month to make up potential shortfalls.
It is one of the problems we British people have with the long Christmas and New Year breaks, that cause whole businesses to effectively shut down production for up to 15 days in some cases (especially the printing industry).
There is work to be done and a purpose to fulfil, nonetheless, and we as a people must set about ordering our affairs and preparing for an exciting future.
The recession is causing tremendous hardship to millions of people. Like myself, many have lost their businesses, livelihoods, private wealth - everything. But that is not a reason to give in, even though I freely admit that the worse time of the day is the awakening each morning.
Families are under terrible strain. But with good leadership and a common bond we can hold together; and this is already starting when we see how the people are calling our elected representatives to account.
No one wants a witch hunt, and at times I am very fearful of that. But out of this disgraceful mismnanagement of parliamentary affairs will come a renewed Parliament that will set about repointing the bricks and mortar. One of our greatest parliamentarians, Sir Winston Churchill, was also a master bricklayer. He would have made it clear to us all that we need to rebuild our broken down wall; repoint the bricks and make safe again the precincts and corridors of power.
There is a move in the nation - and here I mean the United Kingdom - to do just that. Our Constitution is the envy of many regimes; and our parliament has long been the mother of parliaments.
It is for us all now to exercise our democratic right and duty, and use our vote. Let us not waste our vote; whether it be at local, national or European level. Make it count. Most families in this country will find that if they go back three generations, they will find that their own loved ones will have sacrificed their lives for our freedoms.
We are easily reminded of the import of such sacrifices when we look at the return of our own men and women in coffins draped with the Union Flag on a regular basis. Let us not do them an injustice by acting frivolously.
Let us also guard all communities within these islands.
Let no community or section of the community be singled out. Let there be no toleration by any of us of that ominous phrase reported this week of 'voluntary repatriation'.
Let us all work hard together for a better country for our children and grandchildren - and be proud that we are that people that has stood up for freedom and called our politicians to account. But let us do it with dignity and candour.
Surely, Thursday evening Question Time has come of age and rendered the most amazing service to people within the UK but, I suspect, far beyond our shores too. For as the British so often do and without intention, we tend to set precedents that the world then follows on.
Kenneth T Webb
Editor and Publisher
Liverpool CityLife
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