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Friday 11 May 2018

Build all navy ships in UK, says Corbyn ahead of Govan visit per BBC News

The BBC faithfully report http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-44074894 on Jeremy Corbyn's latest promises. No context is allowed in the report, no contrary facts either.

Thankfully Guido Fawkes has some analysis:


'Veterans for Britain and UKIP point out that Corbyn's plans are not possible because of the EU's Defence Directive. David Banks from Veterans for Britain explains:

"Although Mr Corbyn will cite the 'defence exemption' (Article 346 TEU), this does not provide a general exemption from international or EU-wide tendering for government defence contracts. The exemption is only for the most sensitive items of manufacture where an EU-wide tender would put national security interests at risk. The EU tightened these rules further in 2016. The only way to achieve what Mr Corbyn is (rightly) demanding is to leave the EU Defence Directive. The directive stifles UK options in procurement, jobs and strategic capability."

UKIP Defence Spokesman Mike Hookem adds:

"While I agree these RFA ships should be built in the UK; Article 346 of the Treaties demand that military procurement contracts are open to tender across the EU. While there is an exception clause, only the most sensitive items can be guarded for domestic contracts. RFA ships are none front line vessels and therefore, do not qualify as sensitive. Labour either don't understand EU rules on military procurement contracts or are deliberately trying to mislead the public."'

Why are the BBC not reporting such contrary opinion? Apart from that they are trying to increase Labour Party votes. 

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