Private Pike the Defence Secretary

[Ex-Ascot]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... etary.html

Brilliant. What on earth was the PM thinking when she appointed this kid as Secretary of State for Defence. Was he even a boy scout? What on earth does he know about the military? He hasn't even got a decent degree from a decent university. Even Sleepy Fred was ex-military, albeit a Sgt and spent most of his time as a POW.

Where are all these guys now? https://www.ft.com/content/353a6ace-356 ... 1debd57852

[Cacophonix]

Another Tory turd who floated to the top at the bottom of the bowl. On the make with no experience, no clue and no hope, save for advancing his career and making a lot of money for himself in the long run!

Caco

[Capetonian]

It's rather naive to assume that a minister in charge of any portfolio would have experience or knowledge of the topic. That's just not how politics works. It's more about cronyism, faces that fit, and tongues that lick.

[Rwy in Sight]

I am not sure if experience on the matters of one's department makes one a good secretary. For instance I know a case where the national health system was designed by a doctor (a surgeon) and it was judged as a failure. A civil engineer was then appointed secretary for health and the result was much better. I don't have some data to post here but it is the common feeling. Similarly a former Air Force officer was not the brightest Secretary of State for Defence - not that we had many good ones. I am repeating what Capetonian is saying in a more romantic way.

It is much more important to be willing to listen and question rather than have experience. Obviously your new Secretary lacks both.

[Sisemen]

He’s fighting for a bigger defence share of the budget - as an ex RAF officer I can find nothing wrong in that.

[Cacophonix]

The fact that the UK military apparatus (all services) is being run down to wrack and ruin can't be disputed. Britain is no longer a real military or diplomatic power on the world stage.

Oh well Edith, we can still go out for a prawn cocktail and have a warm bitter at The Backwards Arms!

Caco