I was talking to some people about the recent furore over British soldiers using an image of Jeremy Corbyn for target practice and they (being antipodean) were rather nonplussed it had caused such a stir, being unaware of the regulations against service personnel engaging in political stunts.
The Queen's Regulations for the Army (1975) para J5.581 states: Regular personnel are not to take any active part in the affairs of any political organisation, party, or movement.
Service personnel are not precluded from membership or involvement in a political party, but such involvement must be in the individual's own time, not use any MoD resources and not involve the MoD being linked, in any way, with that party. You also cannot allow the party to use the fact that you are serving to support their agenda in any way. Nor, in general, can you canvass for your political party within your workplace. All pretty standard and logical stuff and the state of affairs in (I would say) most regular armies.
The Queen's Regulations for the Army (1975) para J5.581 states: Regular personnel are not to take any active part in the affairs of any political organisation, party, or movement.
Service personnel are not precluded from membership or involvement in a political party, but such involvement must be in the individual's own time, not use any MoD resources and not involve the MoD being linked, in any way, with that party. You also cannot allow the party to use the fact that you are serving to support their agenda in any way. Nor, in general, can you canvass for your political party within your workplace. All pretty standard and logical stuff and the state of affairs in (I would say) most regular armies.
This led me to consider whether the military was predominantly right wing - authoritarianism generally going hand-in-glove with the right wing. I looked up whether there had ever been any left-wing military coup d'Etats, but they are few and far between (the Carnation Revolution in Portugal being a notable exception), thereby supporting my theory.
While searching for the relevant information I alighted on a YouGov poll from 2015 which showed that 44% of Ukip voters were supportive of a military coup under certain circumstances, including the abolition of the monarchy and disbandment of the military.
Worrying, but there again, Ukip has become less of a force and more of a Very Silly Party. It was, after all, nothing more than a convenient travelling companion for a while for some more right wing Conservatives.
While searching for the relevant information I alighted on a YouGov poll from 2015 which showed that 44% of Ukip voters were supportive of a military coup under certain circumstances, including the abolition of the monarchy and disbandment of the military.
Worrying, but there again, Ukip has become less of a force and more of a Very Silly Party. It was, after all, nothing more than a convenient travelling companion for a while for some more right wing Conservatives.
1 comment:
Kippers wanting to get rid of the monarchy, seems counter-intuitive? (I don't know enough of them to understand why).. You, on the other hand seem swamped with them on FB where I must admit you hold your own for the rational 48% :)
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