Cry God for Harry
Sunday, March 2nd, 2008The debate on whether Prince Harry’s curtailed tour of duty has been astonishing to watch. The coverage has made me realise how effective at least one Parliamentary programme is. The Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme was set up a few years ago to give MPs a taste of military life, bearing in mind that sixty years after the war, and forty years after the end of National Service, fewer and fewer MPs would have served in the military (although the Tory 2005 intake is quite havy on ex-military). I have been attached to the Royal Marines, and actually went to Afghanistan, visiting Camp Bastion (run by an ex-King Alfred’s Wantage boy, naturally) and a FOB. But most importantly, spending time with the military makes you realise not only how exceptional they are but what a separate culture they have. I can tell you that Harry comes across as an absolutely typical British officer, devoted to his task and his regiment. Every one who joins (and remember it is a volunteer army) hopes to see active service. This was no way a PR stunt - much more giving in to the intense desire of HArry to carry out the duties he was trained for.
