It is so shameful that SAS and SBS chiefs have to rely on charity to look after wounded heroes
Ultimate farce
THE first duty of any government is defending the realm.
But that basic duty leads to another: honouring and looking after the brave men and women who volunteer to fight for our safety.
Without them, we would be defenceless. Which is why it is so shameful that SAS and SBS chiefs now have to rely on charity to look after their wounded heroes.
In this context, the need to keep spending under control is irrelevant.
Not one penny of Government spending elsewhere is more important than caring for the injured men and women in our armed services.
On your bike
THERE are few clearer illustrations of the need to escape the clutches of the European Court of Justice than its latest bonkers ruling.
Because it sympathised with a Slovenian farm worker who fell off a ladder when a tractor reversed into him, it has ruled that anyone using any form of motor transport must take out insurance — even on private land.
That could, at a stroke, destroy both car and motorbike racing, as insurance companies have warned that the premiums will be huge.
The sooner we leave the EU and the ECJ the better.
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A royal trouper
THIS year, despite being 95, the Duke of Edinburgh spent 110 days on public appearances. Prince Harry, on the other hand, managed only 86 – and Prince William just 80.
The older generation certainly know what they need to do. Princess Anne and Prince Charles topped the table with 179 and 139 days of engagements.
But the younger royals need to be careful. The last thing they need is a reputation for being workshy.
When a man in his tenth decade has a busier diary, something has to change.
Grinch Green
SIR Philip Green thinks we should feel sorry for him.
“You guys have been on my back for months. Enough’s enough now, it’s Christmas,” he moaned.
His celeb mates are so embarrassed that they’ve deserted him and he’s had to cancel his usual Christmas holiday in the Caribbean.
The only person responsible for Philip Green’s reputation is Philip Green.
Six months ago he said he’d “sort” BHS’s pension deficit. He hasn’t.
The Press will get off his back when he does the right thing.