Leading article: The Navy goes south
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Why wouldn't they? Some of the 5,000 sailors facing redundancy from the Royal Navy are being targeted by recruiters from the Australian navy offering a fast track to citizenship. They are even offering the reverse of the Queen's shilling waiting, at the end of the gang-plank, as the sailors disembark from their British vessels.
Emigration is a well-considered option for soldiers, sailors and airmen when they reach the early retirement age common in the British Services. Over the years, there has been significant traffic to the kith-and-kin homelands that once were British colonies.
Those made redundant will be no different. Indeed, the need for change will be augmented by a sense of breached faith. And many, we suspect, will be prepared to make the journey. Australia has undertaken not to poach people essential to maintaining Britain's defence capabilities. But Special Forces officers, fighter pilots and submariners are among those they hope to entice with a three-month progress to citizenship rather than the usual two years. Redundancy is a blunt instrument; all too often those who go are those the organisation can least afford to lose.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments