MoD Defence intelligence update 16th January 2024
Nick Herbert on his visit to flood hit areas of Cumbria
Please note that the post below was published more than ten year ago on 21st November 2009 Nick Herbert MP, shadow cabinet member for the Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs, was in Cumbria this morning to see the areas affected by the flooding. He writes on Conservative Home about his visit. Here is an extract. I’ve been in Cumbria today to see the areas affected by the floods. I arrived early in Keswick where I met officials from the Environment Agency. Although the river levels had fallen considerably and homes were no longer flooded, the damage to homes had been done. And the water which had got into houses wasn’t just from the river – it was foul water which had risen from the drains. I talked to fire crews who were pumping flood water back into the river, and discovered that they were from Tyne & Wear and Lancashire. They had been called in at an hours’ notice and had been working on the scene ever since, staying at a local hotel. You cannot fail to be impressed by the
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Whilst Ukraine may come under scrutiny for "not making significant advances" in the eyes of some western politicians, its his people on the front line. Putin does not care about sending wave after wave after wave of poorly equiped soliders into the meat grinder, clearly Zelenskyy isnt willing to play that game just to gain some ground WW1 style. Yet at the same time we see Russia isnt taking ground either. I think that says more than a lot of people understand about the current situation.
The only option I can see is for full support in terms of supplies and materiel from the west to Ukraine, they will do the heavy lifting with it. Sadly we have this catch 22 situation whereby the politicians are saying we wont send you the resourses you need untill you start making advances, advances that can only be made with the very resourses the west are holding back.
Many people fear "escalation" if the west aids too much, but i think the alternative is worse. Basically if Ukraine are able to take back Crimea, and sever that bloody bridge, then Putins position becomes untenable, his days will end at the hands of Russians by a coup.
I think that full NATO support of Ukraine is the only sane way forward, Im not saying join the fight, only send resourses so a propperly equipped Ukraine can take back their own land and people. I also think its the best answer for the vast majority of the Russian population, most of whom dont want this war, and certainly have no appetite to be cannon fodder.
Yes, I also agree that we have to give them as much support as we can afford short of Britain or NATO countries becoming directly involved in military action. The effect on the security of all nations if Putin were seen to win the war he has started would be devastating.