Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
12 September 2008
13:376025#1
There is a report today that the MoD is considering the sale of HMS Victory which costs £1.5m a year to maintain.
Nelson's flagship, about 250 years old (she was an old ship at the time of Trafalgar) is the oldest commssioned warship in the world and is an icon.
This demonstrates just how desperate the funding position of the MoD is under this Government. They have significantly underfunded Defence and we all know how little Brown is interested.
This is one of the most appalling suggestions I have seen in many years. Victory is an inspiration to many of today's Navy personell and it is the traditions associated with our history that set the benchmark for the services.
(Source: ARRSE)
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
12 September 2008
14:116028#2
Barry
I am surprised that you are objecting to the proposed sale of HMS Victory bearing in mind your recent stance against nationalisation.I thought you'd spinning in your hammock with joy at the prospect of yet another loss making nationalised company being privatised.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Guest 675- Registered: 30 Jun 2008
- Posts: 1,610
12 September 2008
14:236030#3
I certainly support your objection to the sale of this wonderful, nationalised, reminder of our history. So many of todays naval traditions stem from Nelson and are made real by being able to walk in the very shadow of where he fell. HMS Victory is a national treasure and should always remain one.
Politics, it seems to me, for years, or all too long, has been concerned with right or left instead of right or wrong.
Richard Armour
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
12 September 2008
16:256035#4
Naughty Marek. HMS Victory is a commissioned warship in HM Royal Navy, not a business to be privatised. Much as I approve of privatisation of anything that would work better without the dead hand of the State, I would no more advocate the selling of of HMS Victory than I would the Parachute Regiment.
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
12 September 2008
16:486036#5
Its a pity about the Parachute Regiment..I could do with the material to knock out a few thousand pair of bloomers..much in demand in the Philippines.Never mind I will have to get back to my Russian vodka swilling contact,Boris, and see what he can do.He'd sell his own grandma..
nazdrowie
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Guest 675- Registered: 30 Jun 2008
- Posts: 1,610
12 September 2008
16:496037#6
"the dead hand of the state". Hmm. Does that mean you're an anarchist?
Not sure I would have much faith in her against a battleship but she is still a great ship.
Politics, it seems to me, for years, or all too long, has been concerned with right or left instead of right or wrong.
Richard Armour
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
12 September 2008
21:106045#7
i think this would be a good case for privatisation.
a good company would have funds to spend on promiting and maintaining it.
i do not see the comparison with an army regiment of real people.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
12 September 2008
22:266048#8
The expression 'the dead hand of the State' I am pretty sure was used by Churchill in the 1945 election, Chris.
I dont believe Government should have too much power and I regard Government as a necessary evil. That is why I am so in favour of privatisation, less regulation, lower taxes, getting out of the EU and so on. Anarchists are anti all Government regardless. Labour of course see Government as the means to solve all problems and believe it should interfere and control.
DT1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 15 Apr 2008
- Posts: 1,116
13 September 2008
08:006053#9
I don't think it should be sold but if it were its significance would not change. It is a piece of our history and selling of the best silver is no way to fund the present is not sustainable, a recurring theme of our government. Any attachment to this ship is largely sentimental and this is fairly hard to gauge, unlike the present defence of the country, which is unfortunately essential. The culture of selling off things that belong to the nation, started in the 1980's is now being extended to our heritage. It sadly makes sense that if provision for our welfare is for sale then so is our history and we can apply exactly the same arguments for the case.
HMS Victory is existing as a deficit, a private company could buy the ship on the condition it would still be accessible to the public and remove the financial 'burden' from the state. Both the signified and signifier remain intact (the basis of our sentimental attachment) and the money can be spent elsewhere.
This of course is all capitalist rubbish and just exposes the incongruence of Thatcherism. I'm sorry Barry, I just can't accept these double standards and anyone that supports you on this one is just speaking out of their ARRSE!
