What Would You Do?

[Keith Jones 989]

In the pub the other evening we were, as always, putting the world to rights. Being politicians we all decided that the refusal of David Cameron to hold a referendum, as he had promised, would eventually cause civil unrest and riots the like of which have only previously been seen during the Poll Tax Protests (as orchestrated, of course, by the Labour Left!).

My mind wandered back to Tonypandy in 1910, when Churchill authorised the use of troops against protesting miners and I wondered what I would have done if a similar order had come through while I was still in the Army. If civil unrest does, indeed, ensue because of our government's (and now the official opposition's) disingenuity over the EU, what would you do if you were ordered to act against people protesting against that specific point, anywhere in the UK?

[Paul Hinge]

Interesting comments Keith!
As a gentleman in the prime of his life (shall we say), trying to now,with hindsight, attempting to answer the question of how you would view military intervention in civil unrest from a personal point of view is impossible.
Your viewpoint or indeed any-other persons viewpoint will be fashioned and develop as you grow as a person and have the advantage of life's experiences. Experience you would not have been able to draw when you were in the Army as a young person as well as having been trained to follow orders without question!
But a very interesting comparrison nonetheless.

Hingey

[ivor43]

interesting. i think that the military would almost certainly be called in as i do not believe that the police forces have the manpower or the equipment to deal with a major outbreak of civil unrest.
i think that there would be a similarity with 'the troubles' in Northern Ireland where i believe that a lot of time was spent dealing with civil unrest.so maybe the guys that were there could shed some light on this with regard to their feelings at the time.
my own personal feelings on this,having been a police officer, is that when you sign up you take an oath that oblige you to do certain things, there are no if's,but's maybe's, unleses or exceptions. you do as you are ordered without question.
there have been a number of cases,over the last few years, where military personel have refused postings,for various reasons and have been prosecuted. i feel that someone who is not prepared to accept what they commit themselves too is in the wrong job

[Gwyn Nicholas]

The job I was paid to do. As a professional soldier you cant pick and choose what you are and are not prepared to do. You have the option, do the job or leave for a different one. Northern Ireland was no different to anywhere else in the UK (Geographically speaking) so what difference would it make if it was Glasgow Liverpool or Cardiff. Life was difficult if not downright dangerous for the Northern Ireland boys who served as regular soldiers but they got on with it the same as the lads serving today would have to. You really cannot believe that it could happen here because Cameron didn't have a referendum on something that is done and dusted - can you? Now perhaps if John and Edward win the X- Factor there may be cause for worry??

[Paul Hinge]

Gwyn we can always rely on your wit and humor to put life into perspective..Well done mate!

Hingey

[mikedonnelly]

"I was only carrying out orders" ???? where have we heard that before??

[ivor43]

yes we have heard it before many times but it is correct. civy police or military you are not there to question orders. when you sign up for these jobs you must know what is expected, so if you are not prepared to accept some hardship,being shot at etc,. then these jobs are not for you

[steve bird]

you take your countrys shilling you do your countrys bidding simple

[Dusty Miller]

That isn't the Nick that I knew and who occassionally bought me a pint if he is watching the X Factor

As a serving Police Officer in the Met we have to police some demos in London which we are on the side of the protesters but it is your job and you get on with it as per normal.

[sox3044]

Got to agree with most of the posts , as you get older and wiser especialy in the Army you become more opinionated and may not agree with whats going on around you, i certainly felt that was the case in my last couple of years and felt it was time to move on to another career. As for NI, if it had happened in Wales im not sure i would have been in the army any way i would have probably been brought up to be the kid chucking the bricks. That being said yes if i was already in the military and had signed that dotted line then you get on with it or move on if you dont agree.