| Conservative Conference: William Hague plans to confirm Parliament's pre-eminence Sovereignty of British Parliament in deciding national law will be on statute book for first time, the Foreign Secretary says. telegraph.co.uk |
Shades of Winston Churchill as David Cameron appoints military assistant Hero of Afghan war moves into Downing Street to act as prime minister's personal military adviserIs David Cameron turning into Winston Churchill?Downing Street has announced this afternoon that the prime minister has appointed a new Military Assistant. Colonel Jim Morris, of the Royal Marines, will move into Downing Street to "provide the prime minister with assistance on the full range of military issues".Constitutional experts will be spluttering. You probably have to go back to the days of Winston Churchill to find a British prime minister who had a uniformed personal military adviser.Downing Street believes the appointment of Col Morris, who was commanding officer of 45 Commando in Afghanistan, is entirely appropriate. British forces have been in Afghanistan for nearly nine years. The second world war lasted six years. Aides say the appointment shows the depth of the prime minister's commitment to the armed forces.Cameron also believes the leaders of Britain's closest allies – the US and France – have military aides. But there is a key difference. Barack Obama and Nicolas Sarkozy, as heads of state, are commanders-in-chief of their country's armed forces. That role is performed in Britain by the Queen.The special position of the US and French presidents is shown by the presence of uniformed of military officers who walk a few paces behind them with a briefcase. This contains their country's nuclear codes.If Cameron starts walking round with a uniformed military officer, with a briefcase in hand, then we will know he has staged a coup and displaced Her Majesty.James Kirkup at the Daily Telegraph points out that the appointment will raise questions about the position of General Sir David Richards, the incoming chief of the defence staff. The CDS is the prime minister's official military adviser.Richards is said to support the appointment. Sources say Liam Fox, the defence secretary, is happy even though Cameron has poached his military assistant. Fox will appoint a new adviser to replace Col Morris.David CameronWinston ChurchillBarack ObamaNicolas SarkozyNicholas Wattguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
You broke promises say NI leaders The first and deputy first ministers accuse the British government of breaking promises in its Spending Review. bbc.co.uk |
David Cameron hints at relaxing immigration cap The Prime Minister promises business leaders, who have been voicing alarm over tough restrictions, that they would not be stopped from bringing the ''best talent'' to Britain. telegraph.co.uk |
Could you stay silent for eight days? With constant communication and 24hr television, it is hard to find even eight minutes of silence. But what would happen if you were asked to stay quiet for over a week? bbc.co.uk |