So let’s be clear, Jake. Admiral The Right Honourable The Lord West of Spithead, GCB DSC PC, a Naval Officer for more than 40 years, a Falklands veteran (whose actions in that conflict earned him the Distinguished Service Cross), promoted Captain at age 36, and First Sea Lord for four years, talks “a load of garbage” when commenting on a topic about which he is probably about as well qualified as anyone around at present.
Actually, unless he wants to pop over to the Isle of Wight, Admiral West has no need of any expensive maritime toys. He left the Royal Navy in 2006 and is now Chancellor of Southampton Solent University. A government’s first duty is the defence of its nation and citizens (including those in its overseas territories). This government has chosen to somewhat neglect that duty pleading poverty. Instead it decided to spend taxpayers’ dosh fighting an unwinnable war in Afghanistan and supporting rebels (about whom recent events have shown they knew little or nothing) in their quest to overthrow their governments. Lord West is eminently qualified to point that out.