24th September 2007

West Glos Greens give a warm welcome to The Rifles

I would like to welcome 1st Battalion The Rifles to Beachley.
 
The Rifles are likely to remain at Beachley for some considerable time, as the routine of constant and costly deployment to new barracks every few years is thankfully coming to a halt.  As a result, I hope that the men and women of The Rifles will be able to assimilate into and become part of the local community.
 
The Green Party, of course, have been vociferous opponents of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq - indeed, vociferous opponents of all military expansionism, but The Green Party supports the idea of a standing army.  There are many, many questions regarding the relatively recent roles of 'peacekeeping' and 'development', but I have a vision of a standing body of men and women who practice to defend us from military attack, and are actively engaged to support and augment our efforts to make the changes necessary to survive and prosper in a world of Climate Change and Peak Oil.  We could have done with The Rifles amphibious capabilities this summer during the floods.
 
So a big welcome The Rifles - I hope you will be at home and at ease here.
 
With very best wishes,
James Greenwood
 
Local Party Contact, West Glos Green Party