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Times News 21 Jul 2026 40 here now

Ex Head Of British Army ‘Disappointed’ At New Defence Sec But Praises Chancellor‘

"I'm disappointed that Wes Streeting has been appointed defence secretary."

Lord Dannatt, former chief of the general staff, says he's "disappointed" that Dan Jarvis has not remained in the role, but

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Disappointing
It's a disaster...the message it sends to the multitude of enemies we have is....Defence really is not a priority.
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“He won’t just do as we say, so he’s a terrible choice”

Nice try
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His personal life is completely immaterial to his ability to do the job. His utter ignorance about the military and security matters is not. He is a HONKING pick for Secretary of State for Defence.
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Why are we putting civvies in charge of military, it’s a military role surely.
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They are all liars
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He’s got no defence baggage so he comes with a clean slate. I remember the comments when George Robertson was appointed and similar things were said and he became arguably one of the best defence secretaries this country had had.
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Wes will just try and kick the defence plan (and it's spending implications) into the long grass with a 3 year long 'review' like he did with Care.
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@HipHip-y5r From YouTube ↗ 21 Jul 2026 12
Raise billions for defence by: Scrapping legal aid for asylum claims, completely overhaul the benefits system for the 4 million on PIP (3.3 million working age adults) and stop all payments made due to 'anxiety' and ADHD claims. Stop ALL benefits to those who have not paid in at least 5 years N.I. contributions.
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Streeting as defence... you could not make that one up..
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There is no doubt that our defences are in a pathetic state. I can’t help think that all the money spent on two super big aircraft carriers have become extremely difficult assets to defend. In the conventional scenario each carrier requires two guided missile destroyers to flank it and bring down missiles from planes or of a ballistic nature and an anti-submarine frigate to search out enemy submarines and a hunter killer submarine to further back up underwater protection. We only have 6 guided missile destroyers snd only two fully serviceable and there is even a question mark over these two. I think we have 7 frigates and a total of 9 submarines.
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In international waters so what law did it break
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What Steeting knows about Defence is a s much as he knew about Health. It is likely he will be no more successful in Defence than he was in Health. It really is the blind leading the blind.
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Surely now it is time to cancel Foreign Aid - many countries have had a good run on this and should now stand on their own feet.
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@mrc1500 From YouTube ↗ 21 Jul 2026 2
Oh, God. Streeting in defence. Does that mean Palantir will be even more embedded?
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Hopefully they will bring Dan Jarvis and Al Carns back into the security and MOD roles given their experience.
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Frankly Wes steeting as Defense secretary is frightening.
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As bad as Williamson who was a terrible defence Secretary.
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We could reduce foreign aid significantly John. 👍
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Should have been Al Carns as DS. Or at least someone with military background, or keep Jarvis. Wes Streeting is not a strong looking pick.
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Streetings links to Mandelson and Palantir should disqualify him for such an important role.