AlexLaw76

I did answer the question, the public demanded it and the government were paralysed.

Was there some sort of global conspiracy? Nope. Just governments/leaders who did not know what to do...and as 2020 moved on, different nations moved in different directions. This country, people seem to want to be locked down. Remember the fury from the media at the daily prezzers because you could maybe have a scotch egg if you have a drink...Labour wanted more, harder, longer, deeper lockdown at every instance. People claimed we were plague island and those with deeper lockdowns were faring better. The whole thing became a mess, and thankfully many MPs had enough and stopped another lockdown late 2020 when we were told omicron was going to destroy us all. It was hilarious bollox, but people lapped it up...At the same time those at the centre were not worried in the slightest. Even Doctors and Nurses were not worried, whilst they made another TikTok.... It became a complete and total farce..but hey, Eat out to help out killed granny, right?

The PM at the time did not want to lockdown. The 500k deaths prediction made its way to the public forum (and professor pants down could not believe his luck, despite not being the slightest bit worried himself). All other governments were locking down, we had the pictures in Italy and the the clips (clearly bullshit) of people collapsing in the street in Wuhan. Johnson had to do it, or he would have been 'removed', with the fallout and carnage that came with it. Thankfully, before the xmas 20 lockdown came about, enough MPs could see through it (omicron was going to kill us all, remember?) Those at the centre were not the slightest bit scared whatsoever.......evidently I am sure more of this will come out, and more people will realise that it all went way over the top in the end.

I hope he wins again, these are just funny

This is how scared they were at the time

which one of them does the most 'inclusive' matchday VLOG?

The Tories have been in power most of that time, right? Would you have expected anything different had Labour won the 2010 election? Remember, the country ran out of money, right? But during the boom years of 1997-2008...it was still 'shrink the military'...both in terms of kit, people, and GDP spend. That was when we were involved in 2x long term major conflicts. Even the 1998 SDSR was 'make the military smaller'...let alone what came after that. They are all guilty. ALL of them. We both know that nothing will change when Labour are next in power.... increasing the military in any meaningful form just aint a vote winner

God, loads of chat on various media channels about 'Trent' and how is MUST play in midfield for England etc. He had a decent game against Malta.....jesus

so, yes, cut during the boom of Labours first 10 years.

cut cut cut....on top of what has been already 'retired' or put in reserve forever. https://news.sky.com/story/updated-plan-on-size-and-strength-of-uk-armed-forces-delayed-12903953 I doubt we would even last the 8 days (on our own) after this round of cutbacks

He is another Angus Gunn....no shame in that, will have a good career, but world class in the making - not a chance

All parts of the establishment who said we must lockdown to save granny, were ignoring it. Even professor pants down himself.

I do laugh at this. Forces were being cut during the previous Labour government. Pretty much all governments - it is easy pickings, they wont 'strike' and standing on the ballot box for a bigger spend/big increase in capability and numbers will probably lose votes, not gain them at a general election. The UK uniformed numbers shrank pretty well between 1997 and 2010 (i know you know this)..but hey, just the Tories who do this, right?

Aye, yes. And our forces now are significantly smaller compared to then, and getting less capable by the week. In the not too distant future, 'automation' will be championed, as a means to explain the retiring of more major bits of kit

Getting to/from the Black Sea is the issue....they have enormous firepower, which is spread around the world. That is why significant pressure continues on them in different parts of the world. No idea.. I asked from a UK PoV. Back to my standing point about the UKs usefulness in actually fighting (if it came to it), have minute armed forces now, which are catering for 'defence cuts' by stealth, right now

when we run out of this, then what? I guess the capability we keep 'retiring' lately will be sent over....

Very true. What Ukraine lack (significantly) is quantity, which is a huge quality of its own. Russia have enormous resources and can just keep going, throwing thousands and thousands more conscripts at it. The interesting point, overall, Russia's Air Force have remained at arms length and have had low/moderate losses (largely because of the kit Ukraine have been given), Russia's Navy has barely had a scratch (less useful in this situation) and their Strategic Forces have hardly/not been involved at all. The chances of Russia just withdrawing (without something in return) is small, so this will keep going until the USA have had enough. Before the USA have had enough, more stress will be placed by NATO/Allies on Russia's wider forces in Northern Europe, the Med and the Pacific. Keep their costs spiraling.....hell, ours are, so why not.

They lie a great deal, especially about these subjects

Were there lies about WMD? Did we get the truth about COVID? Has there been staged bodies in ukraine (and covid)? Has the US public been given the full story about the 'laptop'?

Russia.

You / we would do well to dismiss nearly everything we are being 'told' It is pure propaganda to keep the masses in the West 'onside' Soon, it will all be about Russia running out of ammunition/ missiles again* and how Ukraine is winning.....it was absolutely hilarious people on here and anywhere, talking about lack of munitions as if it was remotely credible. As Soggy said, the first victim of war is the truth.....and that is a fact with what we are being spood fed.

we are not at war

As our armed forces facing more cuts, I should imagine our contribution would barely last a weekend in all out war - given we had about 8 days worth of ammo before we gave loads to Ukraine - for such a scenario.

it is as neutral as you are. This conflict is very odd, from a information PoV. Pure unadulterated propaganda feeding the machine.

it was a truly horrific performance