A pro-liberty campaigner and one of the last great smokers. He campaigned against anti-smoking regulations over his lifetime and said in 2005:
“You cannot have a smoke free bohemia. Without a bohemia you pay a heavy price… Picasso smoked until he was about 98 and so did Matisse…
I smoke for my mental health, so do most people actually. If they are not on it what replaces it? Antidepressants. I’d prefer a cigarette.”
He was still fighting for individuals’ rights last year (and smoking). Requiescat in pace…
The Special Air Service Regimental Association – of whom the Prince of Wales is patron – has said that Al Carns’ resignation proves the Troubles Bill is not fit for purpose:
“The resignation letter of Al Carns as outgoing Minister of the Armed Forces reveals that the government’s approach to dealing with the legacy of Northern Ireland (NI) is fundamentally flawed. The Troubles Bill and associated remedial order are not fit for purpose. The principled departure of both he and the Secretary of State, who have fought hard within government to protect veterans of Operation Banner, sends a welcome message but leaves our members vulnerable to endless vexatious litigation triggered by apologists for terrorists.
The Special Forces (SF) Associations have never sought immunity from wrongdoing but are adamant that the mistreatment of veterans must end. Their 6,500 members are angry and frustrated at the failure of successive governments to do more to end their persecution. Trust will be hard to restore. They urge – and stand ready to support – the new Secretary of State to continue the fight to defend veterans.
The remedial order must not be allowed to proceed. Its provisions must be incorporated into an amended Bill that provides the protection veterans need and deserve. Servicemen and servicewomen were sent to NI to defend the State and the public. The question now is whether Government and Parliament will defend them.”
Carns said he could not longer look fellow veterans in the eye when they asked him if they would be fairly treated under Labour’s Troubles Bill…
Farage’s answer to Nick Ferrari’s question “do you want to be Prime Minister” is more caveated than most:
“Do you know something? Not for the sake of the office or the title because I couldn’t give a damn about that. Never been interested in that. For me, politics is not about what I become in terms of a personal status. It’s about what I can do. Right now, I believe I’m the only person that’s got sufficient public rapport and the courage to take on the establishment and do what needs to be done. Right now, I’m the right person. May well be in a couple of years time or more somebody else comes along who’s better equipped. Right now, I do believe it’s me.”
The Reform leader has spoken of his enthusiasm or lack thereof for high office for some time…
Footage of the new Defence Secretary this morning meeting Starmer and Richard Knighton, Chief of the Defence Staff. Putin quaking in his boots…
Al Carns was asked why he quit as Armed Forces minister:
“Quite simple: I didn’t think the funding settlement was correct for defence.”
He added “We have got to find more money. That’s down to the PM… There is an argument about welfare. I’m a firm believer a hand up not a hand out.” The blindingly obvious benefits point that has been wilfully ignored by counter-Healey spin…
Carns added he thinks Starmer is a “good and honest man” but “it’s down to him how he prioritises his funding. I don’t think the funding was right. We are fighting amongst each other to get more money for the key unifying principle of the of any government which is to protect this nation.” Oh dear…
Asked if he wants to be PM, Carns evaded: “My whole life is about service – not ambition… We will see what happens in the future.” All to play for…
Peter Kyle has the unenviable morning round for the government and is defending Starmer’s premiership after four MoD resignations last night. Healey, Al Carns, and two PPSs…
Kyle told BBC Breakfast:
“And when you see the plan, I think you’ll see that we’ve put a lot of effort into getting it right.”
Asked: “When did you see the plan?“, Kyle said:
“Well, uh, I have not seen all of the plan. Uh, but I’m assured and and I of course in touch and doing my bit as a department to make sure that we can do as much as we can to benefit the British economy to do so… I have faith in a PM and the Chancellor to fund a plan and design a plan and lead a plan. Of course, and he is the PM that is fit for the moment.”
Meanwhile the DIP launch event at a new drone factory in Swindon has been thrown into jeopardy as Starmer pulls out and it is unclear if the new Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis will show up. Reporters have come all the way from Australia…
Speaking at his speech on how to achieve “progressive capitalism” Wes Streeting fired a dig and Andy Burnham:
“Bond markets are not bond villains and fiscal rules matter.”