Should Brown have told the troops?

[anotheoldgit]

Brown has been criticised for announcing troop reductions to the troops on his visit to Iraq.

The Conservatives have complained that he has tried to over-shadow their conference in Blackpool. Accused him of spin, asked why he did not make the annoucement at Labours own conference last week, and have even said he should have made the announcement in the House of Commons.

How many others agree with me when I say, that if there are going to be any reduction of troops, then it is these troops who should be the first to know, from the Prime Minister himself. Not third-hand, by some announcement made thousands of miles away in London or Blackpool.

Yes it may be "spin" to gain political points, but don't you think the Tories would have done the same given half the chance? This is politics, trying to gain one up on your opponents.

I didn't think there would be a time when I agreed with Labour, but in this case I do. Even more so since I have no faith in who the Conservatives have chosen to lead them into the next election.

[4GS]

So he lied to the country? he's not the first Labour PM to do that in recent years is he?

I said before that I thought Brown would call a snap election, now all the signs are looking that way.
He's riding high in the polls, way in front of Cameron who, is not very popular even with the Tories,even diehard ones like me.

He's doing what any other PM would do, electioneering (sp)? next week should be fun at PM's Q+A's

What's your opinion AOG? snap election or not?

[Oneeyedvic]

I think he should have told the House of Commons before anyone else - they are the people who voted on sending them there after all.

That said, as you say, this is politics and he certainly did manage to overshadow the Tory conference.

Once again that rare event happens - I agree with you AOG - although I have always voted Conservative, I am not convinced by Cameron.

For the first time, I may actually choose to spoil my vote at this election.

[ludwig]

Yes, it's shameless electioneering and yes, any politician would have done it.

[anotheoldgit]

I will tie my colours to the mast 4GS, I think he will go for it.

Sorry I can't return the compliment Oneeyedvic, because I have to disagreewith you. I still say the troops should have been the first to know. Just because those with the shiny suit ars** sent them out there, it is the guys at the rough end of things, that should be the first to know.

[4GS]

Yep, he should have told the troops, but in private and evoked the Official Secrets Act for them to keep shtuum. Not told them in front of the worlds press, as I said, soap box electioneering

[kwicky]

No why should he. In the past when there has been an INCREASE in troops we are told after the event. This basically boils down to a military matter and for security reasons justification is not necessary. So Brown was only quoting what his military generals told him.

[Lonnie]

Your right in what you say John, originally, he was going to tell the House, but his announcement was meant to upstage the Tory conference.

Incidently, I listened to Camerons speech, he never used any cue cards or promts, I thought it was a most impressive performance.

i've said in the past, I wouldn't vote for him, we can all change our minds, and he's got my vote,

lets face it, most of us voted for Blair in '97', because of what he said, and we could'nt have been more wrong, and Cameron can't do any worse.

Snap election, its now or never.

[4GS]

I agree Lonnie, I was wavering between voting Liberal Democrat or just not voting until I saw Cameron's speech yesterday, I must say I was impressed, it looks like he has a fire in his belly after all. I still say all the signs are pointing to an early November election.