Much the poorer
“UK will help US with air strikes on Iraq” (your report, 23 June) but not with actual aircraft, of course. Both of ours are out of commission. The green one broke down on its way to Nigeria last month, and hasn’t been seen since, and we don’t have enough fuel to fly the grey one – except at air displays.
Twenty years of Westminster cuts, and a Ministry of Defence incapable of reading and controlling arms contracts have left the UK with armed services so depleted that they couldn’t even defend the Isle of Wight if the French took a fancy to it.
All we can do in future, when friends and allies are in trouble, is clap from the sidelines and offer friendly encouragement. Is this what the soldiers who have fought for our country since 1914 died for?
David Fiddimore
Calton Road