One Lt Col R.L.T Jones wrote into The Telegraph (?!) today showing his appreciation of Clement Attlee:
“SIR – Clement Attlee showed great courage in honouring Britain’s “distant obligation” to protect the people of South Korea from invasion, in the first military campaign under the Charter of the United Nations in 1950.
At that time, Britain was on the edge of bankruptcy, the Armed Forces were overstretched after the Second World War, and there was need for social change at home. Still, Attlee did not flinch from taking the decision to respond. The Armed Forces addressed the new challenge, and the nation became proud that yet again we were doing the right thing for the free world. We did not argue over exit strategy; we got on with the job.
Now, 61 years later, as a result of legal intervention, the Republic of Korea has become a world-class economic and industrial power.
Today Britain has another courageous Prime Minister, and we have joined other responsible nations, again under the Charter of the United Nations, to ensure that the people of Libya may in the future have freedom to control their own affairs. Our Armed Forces have already responded to the initial challenge, Parliament has given massive support for action, and our nation can be proud that we have found our “moral compass” once again.
Lt Col R.L.T Jones
Odiham, Hampshire”
I don’t agree with him entirely (especially when it comes to the parts about exit strategies and David Cameron!) but it’s nice that there are people out there remembering Clement Attlee and all he achieved. Or at least I think it’s nice.
Jude xxx
Jude's Journal 