Defensive about the offensive

Tuesday, April 25, 2006

Everywhere I go people comment on Cherie Blair's £7,700 budget for hairstyling in last year's election. That's nearly £300 a day. Those I've spoken to fall into two camps: those who can't believe anyone could spend that kind of money on hair; and those who can believe it but feel she was robbed.

I feel similarly about other revelations about money spent on elections. Michael Howard, over £2000 on make up. Why? Charles Kennedy, £5000 on six suits. Did anybody notice?

You could hardly fail to notice John Reid's latest attire. One of the most multi skilled of Tony Blair's ministers, Reid has in previous lives been Gramscian intellectual, Communist guru, pretender to Tony Blair's crown (a vanishing prospect) and tough but tender Minister of Health. Extensive use of his Dr prefix has even given the impression that he could perform the odd appendectomy, whereas of course his expertise is in philosophy.

But this week Dr Reid is a signed up member of HM armed forces as he dons camouflage gear and a helmet and rushes to and from helicopters in Afghanistan. Without a hairdresser in sight he manfully battles against the notion that our deployment of 6000 troops there at a cost of £1 billion will involve killing people.

Reid last week told the Commons that British troops were not going there 'to wage war or carry out seek and destroy' operations. Instead the operations will be called 'deep manouvre effects'. Once in Kabul he did agree that there would be 'overlaps' between the peacekeeping British and the US 'Enduring freedom' operation. Indeed, 'If they attack us we will defend ourselves and if defending ourselves...means taking pre-emptive action we will do that.'

Sounds a bit like that might involve killing people or even a full scale war.

And the military have let the cat out of the bag. Commanders say they have been given permission to carry out aggressive operations including pre-emptive strikes. Seems a bit more realistic to me. After all, why else are the British replacing the Americans in Helmand province?

If I were Dr Reid, I would keep my camouflage at the ready.

4/25/2006 10:55:00 AM | Permalink