Regardless of what a bunch of serial liars did in taking us out of the European Union—on the back of some fictions scribbled on the side of a bus—I regard myself as European. In fact, I regard myself as more European now than I did when we were actually in the EU, and that feeling has never been stronger than it has been this past week.
Europe, I believe, has begun to assume the role that has been its right since the foundation of the European Union—that of the moral leader of the free world.
Europe is not, and has never been, like America. I’m not one of the left’s America-haters either. I think that when the United States has wanted to assume a moral role, it has done so vigorously and well. I believe the values espoused by those Americans who still believe in them are noble and good.
And I don’t believe that what we’re seeing right now in that country represents those values. I hope that America, one day, returns to its role as an ambassador for freedom and for strength through cooperation. But it makes no difference anyway if Europe finds its own moral voice.
Because it was Europe, of course, more than any other part of the world, that has borne the brunt of some of the worst conflicts in the history of mankind. It is Europe that has shed blood over and over again as the various countries that make it up have pounded and pulverised each other for generations.
The European Union is the greatest instrument of peace in history because it has kept the peace in Europe since the end of the Second World War. And now, Europe has to stand up in its own defence and speak in a single voice. And I think it’s wonderful to see it starting to do so.
That phrase—”speaking in a single voice”—is the most important. Europe cannot seem divided. Unity is the only way this gets done. Every country must realise that its security, safety, and future depend on every other country. And let me tell you something—there are people in those individual nations who need to consider just how essential unity is, regardless of any other ideological concerns.
One of the institutions that really has to get its house in order—and do it fast—is the military. The UK armed forces are not a favourite subject of this blog, nor a favourite thing to talk about for many Celtic fans, although many of them have served in uniform and done so with distinction and pride.
I have no issue with any of them. Someone has to do it, and I admire those people for stepping up. The mission hasn’t always been palatable – sometimes it has been abhorrent – but I have always been loathe to criticise those who put themselves in harm’s way so the rest of us can sleep safely in our beds.
I’ve never been a traditional lefty in some ways. I believe in a strong military. I believe in an interventionist foreign policy when it fulfils a humanitarian purpose. I believe in a strong judicial system, a capable police force and harsh punishment for repeat offenders. I am not a bleeding heart. It is the poorer communities in our country most blighted by crime. I consider it a left wing issue.
And let me tell you; the police would never allow themselves to be used and abused in the way the armed forces are. And that’s something the military would do well to bear in mind.
Because at the weekend, of course, we had Armed Forces Day at Ibrox again. And it was, as ever, an utter embarrassment. Soldiers abseiling down a stand. Marching bands on the pitch. A cannon firing. What is all that except the glorification of war and the celebration of militarism?
As I said a moment ago, I believe in a strong national defence. I believe we should not be afraid to use our strength abroad if there is a humanitarian goal. But celebrating militarism and war for its own sake is something that leaves me more than just a little cold. In fact, what it provokes in me is a profound feeling of revulsion and disgust. War is not something to be celebrated.
Nor are the armed forces supposed to be co-opted into someone’s ideological fantasy. If the Ibrox supporters want to pay tribute, there are ways they can do it short of the armed forces themselves getting involved in their party. Serving soldiers should not be parading on the Ibrox pitch as if that institution belongs to one club and one set of people in this country. It does not.
The military, in any democratic society, is meant to stand above politics, personal loyalties, or any kind of factionalism. It exists to serve the nation as a whole, not individual interests, ideologies, or social groups.
In Britain, the armed forces are often regarded as one of the key pillars of national life. Their role is not to be co-opted into culture wars or turned into a prop for tribalism, but to protect the entire country, regardless of background, belief, or allegiance. And when they allow themselves to be used for such purposes, all involved should feel a deep sense of shame.
Armed Forces Day was not established as a tool for partisanship or division. It is meant to transcend barriers whether they are political, social, or sporting. It is not something to be hijacked for self-serving narratives, nor should it be reduced to a rallying point for one particular group to elevate itself above others.
When that happens, it doesn’t honour the military—it diminishes the spirit of service that the armed forces are supposed to stand for.
There was a time when joining the military guaranteed you a relatively painless life unless you were sent to an active combat zone—and there were only a few of those around the world where the British stood a chance of seeing action. But Iraq and Afghanistan, and our numerous Middle Eastern engagements, changed that utterly. And it’s about to change again. Because a multinational European defence force needs to be established—and it needs to be established fast.
In short, these boys are going to be busy.
They’re going to be busy digging trenches and ditches. They’re going to be busy bunkering up. And it’s to be hoped that that, on its own, is enough to prevent a war from breaking out on this continent. But if it is not, they’re going to be very busy indeed. And a lot of them are going to be in harm’s way.
I don’t know how it serves their interests, here and now, to allow the institution itself to be co-opted in the manner it has been in Scotland.
Like I said, Ibrox is fully entitled to commemorate whatever it wants in its own house. But the military is not an institution that belongs to them. It is not an institution that should allow itself to be used in a partisan way. And I really wish to God that those in charge of the army here in Scotland would realise just how short-sighted and stupid their decision to participate in this actually is.
Frankly, they have a hard enough sales job on their hands as it is, trying to convince young kids in this country to sign up.
But they’re alienating entire sections of the community by appearing to be the plaything of a single strand of our society. And at a time when the idea of a volunteer army is being tested to its limits—and the proposition has just gotten substantially less attractive—they need all the help they can get.
Only exceptionally stupid people would isolate themselves and their institution in this way. It’s high time they woke up and if they won’t, then the political class has to wake them up and remind them that they serve the national interest, not just an ultra-nationalist one.
Photo by Craig Foy/SNS Group via Getty Images
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And one more thing, I know that weasel mate of yours Micmac, likes to try and be smart with his “ oh can you imagine sitting beside him at Celtic park”, let’s put that to the test , I’ll meet that “ hardman” at Celtic park. A lion always beats a hyena pal.
Come on guys, it’s fine to disagree but let’s not resort to name calling etc. we’re better than that HH
Goody, do you remember when you used to call yourself Sean, you were much more fun in those days bud. Chill out man, you are too angry, is all that booing getting to you?
A European army yeah ?
You think that is what we need ?
And what for?
Who to fight against ?
Who is the real threat?
Who has helped the USA destroy over 60 countries since 1945 ?
Various European countries that’s who
And now you think an EU army is good.
You want WW3 now ?
There are 195 countries in the world & only 27 are in the EU,the global south make up the vast majority and they don’t need the EU countries plundering their natural resources for a pittance any longer. The EU is collapsing through inflation and the rest of the world couldn’t care less what a bunch of genocidal thieves and mass murderers who for over 500 years have destroyed their nations and kept them poor think.
I’m outta here for good ,your grovelling makes me sick and I’m unsubscribing to Trinity Tims to obviously,pity as you write well on some matters but that’s overwhelmed by your grovelling.
From a actual leftist.