UKNDA (UK National Defence Association)
To campaign for sufficient, appropriate and fully funded Armed Forces that the United Kingdom needs to defend effectively this Country, its people, their vital interests and security at home and throughout the world.
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Members Section
(To be activated soon - all members will be advised when this site is ready)
UKNDA
FOR THE UKNDA TO CAMPAIGN EFFECTIVELY FOR
SUFFICIENT, APPROPRIATE &
FULLY FUNDED ARMED FORCES
WE NEED TO DO THREE THINGS
To promote our MESSAGE
To acquire MANY MORE MEMBERS
To gather in MORE MONEY
To support our
"SUPPORT OUR ARMED FORCES CAMPAIGN"
JOIN US NOW
COMMENTS FROM SUPPORTERS OF THE UKNDA
What’s our Navy for?
Every comment made at the Bar (Ed: a discussion forum) is highly relevant. But this won’t convince the GBP. Our arguments need to be simple and convincing. Phrases such as "Maritime Force Protection, Theatre Entry, Flexible Global Reach and UK Maritime Security" are utterly meaningless to most of
Simply reminding the public that 95% of our trade is carried by sea, does not explain why we need a navy. Demonstrating that jobs in a factory producing machinery for export are dependent upon the Navy defending cargo ships from terrorist attack will make people think.
Showing a family sitting in front of a coal fire and reminding people that we import ¾ million tons of coal a year, all by sea, may ensure the GBP begins to understand why we need a navy.
Remind people that we now import one third of our food. Show it being landed at the docks. Then pan to empty shelves in a supermarket. Tell them that the EU only allows us to produce 80% of our milk. Ask them how they will feed themselves if we can no longer import food because terrorists have closed key ports by laying mines. A clip of the RN blowing up a World War II mine at sea would convey the message. Show them the constant stream of liquefied gas carriers arriving at British ports every week. Ask them where the gas for their central heating systems comes from.
And, finally, let’s see film of the RFA conveying the army and its equipment to
Strong, pithy, eye-catching advertisements on all TV channels and in the tabloid press will convey the message that all this depends on a strong navy.
Don’t forget the cinema. Although Pearl & Dean is sadly no more, let’s see an SSN operating deep in the
By the Editor: The following letter has been received and clearly shows the 'coal-face' challenges faced by so many in our Armed Forces, as well as the determination, increasingly being shown, to "Join us and DO that Something that must be done"
Many thanks for your welcome e-mail. My cheque for my subscription will be in the post tomorrow. (Later note by the Editor - It was!) After my seventeen years service in the military, at last someone wants to fight our corner, and you have my full support.
I regret I didn’t have time to fill in the additional information part of my application, so if I could take the liberty of explaining why I’m joining the UKNDA? As someone who joined the RN at the tail end of what I call “the old navy”, and who now works at a training establishment, there isn’t a day goes by where myself and the officers and senior rates I work with don’t despair at the low standards of kit, training and morale within the mob. The PR disaster resulting from the Iranian Hostage crisis was nothing to the more damning questions it raised about how we conduct ourselves in theatre - financial constraints, inadequate preparation and inappropriate kit yet again served to endanger lives and embarrass us. Anyone who has a warfare background will know that an Operations Room on a ship always watches the back of its boarding parties (I did when I was out there), and what on earth are we doing using Pacific boats to transport Royal Marines around? I can’t think of a less suitable platform!
As a bit of a history buff (how we need a Jacky Fisher or even a Lord Beresford at the helm at the moment!) I know that history does not repeat itself, but at junctions in life it does provide road signs as to the way ahead. I tell you in all honesty that there are few in the military who like the way things are going. Corners are being cut to save money, standards are lowered to make up manning shortfalls, and people are dying as a result.
The MOD is rubbish at PR; they will not fight their corner. The public know little about what we do, or the risks we face on a daily basis. And our own “can do” attitude merely encourages the bureaucrats to cut funding even further. We must, like the Navy League last century, promote the Services to the public. Get them onboard, and maybe we’ll start getting the funding that our boys and girls need.
As someone “at the coal face”, I will assist you in any way I can. All the best for the future, Yours Aye,
Sir,
I just want to tell you that I think you are doing a damn fine job in the UKNDA. Your patrons in the Lords are doing a sterling pubilicity job already, and it is great that Ming Campbell has also pledged. I have just written a note to him.
I want to say to you all at the UKNDA just what I said to my son in a recent email...God Speed!
My son is currently serving in the RE and is now as I speak deploying to Iraq.
He told me that when he flew out of his forces airbase in Germany there were only poor facilities offered for him and his men, and no food or drink was provided at the airbase. No one even seemed to know they were coming and going!?
When they landed at the US transitional base in Kuwait they were welcomed and greeted with all manner of food, access, amenities and... present on the base... the Washington Redskins Cheerleaders!!
Such a nice welcome, but such a sad and telling contrast.
Very Best Regards,
PM. (full name supplied) 23 Nov 07
Ill fares the land, to hast’ning ills a prey,
where wealth accumulates, and men decay......Oliver Goldsmith 1728-1774
5th Feb CL
For God's sake keep up the good work.
8th Feb BB
Having just registered may I suggest that the website should show a few more names of people who are associated with NDA and their background. This would, dare I say it, lend a little more authority to the organisation.
It sounds very interesting, and if it can develop a sufficient profile, would be able to exert a timely influence to reverse the calamitous decline of our Defence Structure.
13th Feb AH
Congratulations on your determined and successful progress so far. After recent press reports on the Services I expect you will easily reach your target.
13th Feb PDLB
It is my pleasure to join the fight.
13th Feb JDP
Thank you for your note. I have forwarded a copy of the NDA Internet package to a number of friends, including the chief executive of the U.S. Naval Institute and the president of the Naval Historical Foundation.
We have been going through the same kind of political smoke and mirrors since the mid-1980s. The basic thrust--never stated openly by politicians--is you will have to do more with less.
15th Feb JC
Thank you very much for your message and your welcome. Under your joint leadership with Cdr. Robinson, I feel certain UKNDA will be a highly successful venture and of ultimate benefit to a great many Service people. It is uplifting to know there are still such dedicated people prepared to sacrifice their time and energies in a cause in for which they feel so strongly.
25th Feb DC
Having just been introduced to your website, I am pleased to say I have registered my interest and I have every intention of joining as soon as you are official. As an ex member of the Army of this country, I have watched in utter dread at the steady emasculation of our Armed Forces over the past few decades and even more so since this Neu Arbeit government got into power.
27th Feb DP
I absolutely agree with your aim, your initiative, although long overdue, is to be applauded. I am sure you will be supported by many more than you imagine. Please register me now. I will forward this document to interested parties.
1st Mar DMJ
"This is a picture of HMS SCOTT sailing from Devonport on Monday 5 November 2007 having just complete a one month maintenance period in HM Naval Base Devonport. You will note the ships side is still heavily streaked with rust. I have it on good account that there was no money in the budget to paint the ships side whilst in Plymouth. Not only is this petty penny pinching but what message does this give when she leaves harbour or enters foreign ports. As you are probably aware, SCOTT is a very busy state of the art deep sea surveying ship."