should Harry go....

[Loosehead]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6594223.stm

I tend to think not, because it will effectively be death by papparazzi. The media will be all over it like a rash and will let the insugents know all the details they need to attack Harry's unit. So I think for the sake of the others around him we should use a bit of common sense and not send him.

[Gromit]

I refer you to your answer here...

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/News/Question36 9106.html

I think a political decision should be made not to send him.

This war is perceived in many countries as an attack on Islam and an unjust war. There is a possibility that Harry could one day be King, Head of State, and the Head of the Church of England. His war involvement would cause great damage to our relations with many countries for many years if he were in fact to become our monarch.

[Loosehead]

Thanks Gromit, well I seem to have the same view as I did then! I brought this up because I originally thought that he was definately going but it seems that the top brass are still thinking about it.

[kwicky]

He has said he will resign his commission if not allowed to fight with his troops. Do they still do this class thing in the Army? The ordinary foot soldier has to pay (yes pay) the Army to be allowed out into civvy street and cut short his term of engagement. Alright it costs the Army money to train soldiers but that would apply moreso for an officer.

[crete]

there are much more important issues to be addressed in these wars than wheather or not prince harry goes. will his body guards be going with him. best leave him at the nightclubs. what is very interesting is that it is the second in line to the throne who may be going, god forbid we asked wills to go .

[johnlambert]

He is a soldier, he MUST go!!!
If he doesn't go then he needs to resign his commission as he will not command his men's respect when they return from Iraq

[wired]

It's up to the military to decide but I think that he should not go as the security risk for all out there will increase dramatically. In any war or anti terrorist scenario the fewer high profile characters around mean that the security forces can get on with their work without extra burdens.

[netibiza]

For the safety of his group, then no he should not be sent.

[stokeace]

the troops harry commands know that he wants to go and serve with them its not his fault that if he goes it will turn into a media frenzy.of course the insurgents will up their attacks on british forces just hoping for a lucky strike it will be impossible for them to capture him as he and his troop will be guarded by the sas so you can expect an increase in roadside bombings.i for one would not want to be on a recce with him and i have served in iraq.he will 100% be a target and if the media start telling all and sundry about what sort of armoured vehicle he will be commanding and what area he is serving [as they already have] he might as well go on patrol wearing a high vis jacket with HRH emblasoned on it.i admire him tremendously for wanting to go but i really do fear the worst if the media are not kept at bay.

[ELVIS68]

I can`t see how the media will be any wiser on what`s going on unless they intend on following him around out there.....I think they`ll give that one a miss

[mrrobbo15]

no he shudnt go.......'they' only have to get lucky and the consquences are unemaginable.....

really...we shudnt even be thinking about it......

[Lonnie]

Quite simple really, I understand his wanting to go, but if he's got an ounce of common sense, he shouldn't, even if it means he;ll resign his commission, every insurgent for miles will be trying for his head, and at the same time, he'll be making his own men targets, and if, for that reason, any of them get killed or injured, it'd be his fault, he can serve his country in other ways.

But, if ordered, as johnlambert says, he must go.

[stokeace]

elvis68 without engaging in an argument with you there are plenty of war correspondents who are more than willing and able to be with harry on his missions in his A.V they will just follow ok maybe from a distance but they will do anything for a story and if they can be anywhere near when and if he is engaged in combat you can rest assured they will be in some capacity.

[ELVIS68]

stokeace..me and you argue?..never! lol
All i`m saying is the war correspondents are not as bad as the papparazzi that follow him around at 3am falling out of nightclubs and dressing up as a nazi

I think they`d be a tad more proffesional

[naomi24]

No, he shouldn't go. His life is not more valuable than anyone elses, but his presence would put the lives of others at even greater risk. He would be a prime target and so would the men around him. Although he wants to go, he should be intelligent enough to see the sense in staying away. Apart from that, what a victory his capture - or his death - would be. It would be madness to send him.

[suffragette]

I don't think he should go and I'm tired of royals picking and choosing when to accept their privileged lifestyle and when to muck in with the plebs.

Like it or not, Prince Harry is not in the same position as any other officer. He will be targetted for the propaganda kudos his capture or death would give the insurgents.

More importantly, his death could lead to a violent backlash against the Muslim community in this country that would make the riots of the early 1980's look like a playschool romp.

The military and the government have wider issues than the conflict in Iraq to assess in this particular matter.

[Reverandfunk]

Why do we allow Royals to join the Army if they can't go into combat. Surely this must have been considered before he joined and if not why not? I'm sure Uncle Edward could find him a job....

[fine,thanks]

i didnt know his uncle edward had a job.

[naomi24]

Infund - not double-think. If you re-read my post you'll realise I'm looking at both sides of the coin here. I personally don't think his life is more valuable than that of any British solider, but from the enemy's point of view it's worth considerably more. If he were captured or killed, they would see it as an enormous victory.