Labour call for re-think on frigate disposal
LABOUR politicians have called on the Government to reconsider its plans to scrap a fleet of frigates in the wake of Middle East unrest.
The plea comes as a Type 22 frigate, HMS Cumberland, was re-deployed to Libya to possibly rescue stranded British nationals.
Before being re-tasked HMS Cumberland was on deployment in the Northern Arabian Gulf protecting the oil platforms and shipping.
At the end of her deployment next month she was due back into Devonport to be decommissioned.
So far one of the four Type 22 frigates has been decommissioned. All four are going to be decommissioned by May leaving 13 Type 23 frigates in the Royal Navy frigate fleet.
Labour MP for Plymouth Moorview, Alison Seabeck – who sits on the influential Defence Select Committee, said: "HMS Cumberland was the only naval ship available to send to Libya, yet she is due to be scrapped once she returns to Devonport.
"Given the scale of the problem sweeping across the Middle East, the Government should review its decision to scrap the Devonport based frigates until the situation has stabilised.
"The Mediterranean and Gulf are major shipping routes for the UK and need protection."
Mrs Seabeck was backed by Honicknowle Labour councillor, Mark Lowry.
He said: "Interestingly the only ship available to send to Libya is the one that will be scrapped on her return.
"Given the scale of the problem sweeping across the Middle East, the Government should review its position on scrapping the four frigates. Times have changed considerable and it is clearly more dangerous.
"The Med and the Gulf are major shipping routes for UK shipping and need protection."
But Oliver Colvile, Tory MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, questioned what would be scrapped if the frigates were saved. "This is all very well but the problem that the MoD has is a multi-billion hole in its finances," he said.
5 Comments
by teri, Plymouth
Thursday, February 24 2011, 9:25PM
“The MOD have a "Multi Billion Hole in its finances" as quoted by David Camerons nodding dog aka oliver colVILE only because this government we now have in power who slid in through the side door prefer to send OUR public funds to india, europe and ensuring our banks are bailed out so the fat cats can have their bonus". Its no good pointing the finger and blaming labour get on with the job you side stept into. Clearly this playdoh party (which has been thrown together) dont think the safety of the public is a high priority, but keeping the rich comfortable is. When we are invaded (not if) no doubt you and the rest of the party you belong to will expect our brave to defend or maybe you will retreat to your gated community and hide under your duvet.”
by David, St Austell
Thursday, February 24 2011, 8:13PM
“Glen was right about us giving India £1billion aid over 3 years and yet they are soending £1.7billion on a space programme.
We must be mad to give them anything and they must be mad to waste it on a prestige excercise.
As for decimating the fleet this has been going on for a long time now so it is not a party matter as they are all in it together. Very short sighted in my opinion.”
by karen, plymouth
Thursday, February 24 2011, 11:43AM
“Such hypocrisy!
It was the last LABOUR government who instituted all the swingeing defence cuts! We are an island nation and need a Navy to keep US safe - let alone address the situation in the Middle East. If the Falkland Crisis happened today we would not be able to raise a task force at all. Wake up before we get invaded!!”
by Glen, Southwest
Thursday, February 24 2011, 9:50AM
“I am constantly astounded at the short-sightedness of respective in-power governments. Absolutely no attention has been paid to the more recent historic defence cuts. Since the Labour cuts at the time of the Suez crisis, the Tory cuts at the time of the Falklands Conflict and now the increasing instability in the ME, the need for a stay of execution for the RN frigates has been manifest once more. Credibility on the world stage is at stake. If the UK has no viable global defence capability, then the Prime Minister and poorly-functioning coalition government, can no longer sit at the table of the super powers. The declining strength of the forces places the UK behind India, yet the UK continues to provide a billion pounds in humanitarian aid to a country with greater defence capability, including nuclear weapons and air strike/defence.
Granted, savings are necessary, but ensure they are done with the view to sustaining UK defence of shipping, economic trade routes and status at the table of world powers. The simple hack and slash being carried to compensate for mismanagement of long-term strategic measures is 'unacceptable' as the politicians are so fond of iterating whenever a crisis occurs anywhere in the world. They are creating a defence crisis that leaves them in the position of begging at the table of the super-powers. Or laying at the Masters' feet waiting for scraps to be handed down.”
by Glen, Southwest
Thursday, February 24 2011, 9:43AM
“I am constantly astounded at the short-sightedness of respective in-power governments. Absolutely no attention has been paid to the more recent historic defence cuts. Since the Labour cuts at the time of the Suez crisis, the Tory cuts at the time of the Falklands Conflict and now the increasing instability in the ME, the need for a stay of execution for the RN frigates has been manifest once more. Credibility on the world stage is at stake. If the UK has no viable global defence capability, then the Prime Minister and poorly-functioning coalition government, can no longer sit at the table of the super powers. The declining strength of the forces places the UK behind India, yet the UK continues to provide a billion pounds in humanitarian aid to a country with greater defence capability, including nuclear weapons and air strike/defence.
Granted, savings are necessary, but ensure they are done with the view to sustaining UK defence of shipping, economic trade routes and status at the table of world powers. The simple hack and slash being carried to compensate for mismanagement of long-term strategic measures is 'unacceptable' as the politicians are so fond of iterating whenever a crisis occurs anywhere in the world. They are creating a defence crisis that leaves them in the position of begging at the table of the super-powers. Or laying at the Masters' feet waiting for scraps to be handed down.”