John Strafford is a political commentator, writer and historian; author of Our Fight for Democracy. John has a long political history of activism (leading the Conservative campaign for Yes to AV) and has been an active member of the political community through out the decades - with regular Newsnight,Today,and World at One appearances. Contact me at: johnstrafford@btinternet.com
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- Home
- "Our Fight for Democracy"
- Index of book
- Preface of "Our Fight for Democracy"
- Book - Order Form
- Introduction - The Meaning of Democracy
- Roman Britain to Magna Carta - 1215
- Parliament to the Divine Right of Kings 1216 to 1603
- Monarchy to a Republic and back 1603-1685
- Bill of Rights to the American War of Independence - 1685 to 1780
- Pitt the Younger to Catholic Emancipation - 1780 to 1830
- The Great Reform Act and its aftermath - 1830 to 1860
- The Second Reform Act to the end of the Century 1860 to 1900
- The Twentieth Century - Votes for women at last - 1900 to 1928
- Constitutional Crisis to the present - 1929 to date
- Conclusions
- The Institutions and other aspects of Democracy - Local Government, Assemblies
Monday, September 27, 2021
Monday, September 20, 2021
AUKUS - Time to raise the Periscope
AUKUS - TIME TO RAISE THE PERISCOPE
By Mike Clitheroe
Wow so much coverage everywhere of the AUKUS agreement and the indignation in France.
Must be the Remoaners dream to be able once again knock their own country and
cry for an EU member state. “Those naughty two faced Conservatives ” they will scream.
For me an important point has been completely missed in all the media coverage.
So now I want to put this into my “simple man’s” understanding of events.
As we all know Australia has been under increasing pressure from China for some time about their attempted dominance of the Indo/Pacific region and the threats against Taiwan etc.
Particularly since the Aussies dare challenged them about howCovid 19 originated and why they mislead the world about the whole episode
-Australia wanted quite rightly to increase their defence capability, to let China and the world know they would not take all this “lying down”.
As widely publicised, they set up a deal a few years ago to get Submarines from France.
However not only did this agreement fall behind schedule the French package proved to be poor on the technology front particularly the software. The Australians realised
(or were reliably informed) what they were dealing with from the French was a dated system which in part uses diesel (not very green?) and there was going to be a lot of money spent and time wasted when this virtually obsolete product finally came into service.
Therefore they would be way behind what was really required to be a meaningful deterrent - given the Chinese have nuclear powered subs already - which can stay submerged for muchl onger and were generally more efficient.
So it is fairly obvious the French could not supply the desperately needed 21st technology.
Obviously they needed to shop elsewhere.
With the UK / US deal they get to share the most advanced secret technology and in the
longer term Cyber, Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Computing for the good of the Free World.
NOW!! THE WHOLE POINT IS THAT IT WAS AN AUSTRLIAN DECISION AND ANY CONTRACT/AGREEMENT
WITH FRANCE IS BETWEEN THE TWO OF THEM.
Surely, like any other contract (if there is such a thing between them ) maybe there is compensation to pay
and explained logical reasoning and even an apology. Who knows? but it’s between Australia & France
The UK & US In my view are not the devious guilty parties.
Were we putting forward the opportunities in all our interests for a defence deterrent
– yes of course we were. BUT it was finally an Aussie decision – which was the sensible decision – to pull out of the French deal to get modern, up to date equipment and long term partnerships in defence
of their country and surrounding regions.
WHY IS THERE THIS BIG DOWN ON THE UK & USA???
FOR ME A “SIMPLE MAN” I CANNOT UNDERSTAND THIS MOCK INDIGNATION.
Simply if one orders anything and it proves to be late and not of the standard required or promised – you cancel it.
Were we (the UK) and the Yanks supposed to say
“ We can’t possibly supply you with Subs with our superior technology and build a long term strategic alliance against China because we must not upset the French” OF COURSE NOT.
For the French its simply about the money as I believe their only vision is the EU and not the rest of world if there is no euros and prestige in it for themselves.
Yes people will say this is all over simplification – OK explain why.
Mike Clitherow