Airstrip One

PFI Friday - 1st November 2002, 19.47 GMT

With the prevailing discussion of war in Iraq and the resources required to combat these threats, it is clear that the armed forces are suffering from the incompetence, bad judgement and lack of preparation that New Labour brings to any Ministry.

Now, the Audit Commission has demonstrated that we lack trained pilots for the Apache helicopters we ordered; half of our warships are in drydock; or this wonderful PFI deal where midair refuelling Airbus A330-200s will double up as holiday jets. John Edmonds said,

But how is it going to look when Tony Blair has to tell President Bush that the RAF can't bomb Baghdad because it's stuck on a Club 18-30 mission to Benidorm?

Is that Labour's plan:support the US to the hilt without actually committing any forces because their equipment was crap or unavailable.