A good job of marine art should not be removed from government buildings as it helps to remind sea blind parliaments and officials that we are an island trading nation.
Air travel is primarily used by people, but 95% of British trade is found on merchant ships. The sea is the blood of our lives.
Protection of British interests, including fisheries protection and food security, protection of offshore industry, trade in the seven seas, and defense of 14 overseas territories, are all important obligations that fall primarily within the Royal Navy, and such protection is necessary 24/7 in both peacetime and war.
British defense should provide first and foremost with maritime defense strategies, essential lands, and land air defense afterwards.
Aiding the Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Royal Fleets with adequate resources is easy. More British inflated merchant ships and seafarers should also be a must for Whitehall.
The HM government, and the person responsible for providing the current strategic defense review, certainly need to see the senses.
Leicester May (Grand Commander, retired)
