From canvases of Trafalgar to images of Channel migrants’ dinghies
sir – From a relatively brief career as a naval officer, I recall grand paintings on the walls of wardrooms. Scenes from Trafalgar, Taranto and the Arctic convoys spoke of a tradition of bravery. The fighting spirit of the Royal Navy is built on inspiration from its history, and we were expected to live up to our forebears.
It is unlikely anyone will commit to canvas the current tasking of the Royal Navy in the Channel. Will future naval officers see grand paintings of warships “defending” this island against rubber dinghies filled with some of the poorest and most desperate people on the planet?
It is utterly shameful. Such a misuse of our Armed Forces diminishes us all.
Andy Lake
Orpington, Kent
sir – Why do reporters constantly refer to migrants trying to cross the Channel as desperate when they are already in a First World country?
Tim Dorsett
Quainton, Buckinghamshire sir – Unless migrants who have lost or destroyed their identification documents can be physically removed to French shores or other points of origin, our efforts will be useless.
We should expect the French to continue to be complicit in maintaining the status quo and we should have the guts to act accordingly. Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, is beginning to sound like an empty vessel.
Michael A St Clair-george
Udimore, East Sussex
sir – If Admiral Chris Parry, the former director-general of the Ministry of Defence, wants to house migrants in ships (report, August 10), I suggest he places them in naval vessels and not cruise ships.
As reported this week, more than 70 per cent of the 300,000 seafarers serving today are being held against their will, with no prospect of being repatriated home soon, due to the pandemic. Turning their ships into prison hulks would be the ultimate kick in the teeth. To earn a living wage, seafarers on cruise ships rely on tips from wealthy passengers. In the 10 years since I retired as a Merchant Navy captain, respect for seafarers has hit rock bottom. World trade will be the loser.
Peter J Newton
Chellaston, Derbyshire
sir – There is talk of the military being deployed to stem the influx of migrants. Only last week, though, General Sir Mike Jackson, a former Chief of the General Staff, said the size of the Army may be too small for war (report, August 8). Indeed, the regular Army is now down to just 80,000 soldiers.
However, at around £60 billion, the UK military budget is the fifth largest in the world. What on earth is all this money being spent on? The Ministry of Defence employs about 57,000 civilian staff. Why so many and what on earth are they all doing?
Angus Long
Newcastle upon Tyne