Recent discussions and reports have highlighted a growing concern regarding the British Armed Forces' recruitment and operational strategies, focusing particularly on diversity initiatives. Criticisms have emerged from various quarters, including former military officials, politicians, and commentators like Nigel Farage, about the potential impact of these diversity efforts on the armed forces' efficiency and focus. Defence Secretary Grant Shapps and MP Tom Tugendhat have called for a 'proper shake-up' of the military to refocus on its core mission as a lethal fighting force, amid claims of 'woke culture' infiltrating military ranks. This has led to a broader debate on the balance between achieving diversity and maintaining operational effectiveness, with some arguing that merit should remain the primary criterion for recruitment and others warning that excessive focus on diversity could compromise national security. Notably, recruitment has been outsourced to Capita Plc, and the Ministry of Defence has established 93 different diversity networks for personnel to discuss race, gender, and mental health.
'I do worry about the Army in terms of its capability rather than its diversity.' Former Head of Counterterrorism at the MoD, Major General Chip Chapman, reacts to a former SAS officer's comments that a focus on diversity has 'undermined the Great British Armed Forces.' https://t.co/Tv3CPElzaf
UK Announces Review of ‘Extremist’ Diversity and Inclusion Programmes in Military https://t.co/u7gd87UsVa
Esther McVey: Tories will RID the army of WOKE 'nonsense' in army unlike 'FLIP FLOP' Starmer https://t.co/ZIBWxE9sqC
✍️ 'Woke ideology has no place in the Forces' | Telegraph View https://t.co/2msefdai1u
ICYMI... 'In the middle of a warzone a soldier stops and prays to Allah' Nigel Farage says our military no longer cares about being the best, just about meeting diversity targets, as he worries foreign forces 'struggle to take us seriously'. https://t.co/4NGc6kUTD8
🔴 ‘Woke madness’ damaging Armed Forces, warns Farage. Read more here 👇 https://t.co/TzhsKQ0s3u
"They are more interested in diversity and inclusion than they are in developing a strong military." Chairman of Republican Overseas UK Greg Swenson says wokism has been "terribly damaging" to the morale of the servicemen. @iromg | @_GregSwenson https://t.co/MDvv8fgaAa
Being in the army is not about being the best anymore, it’s about meeting diversity targets, says Nigel Farage https://t.co/WeuY54fIXV
'If this is not an example of the MoD becoming a woke bureaucracy, I don't know what is.' Steven Edginton details his article which revealed the Ministry of Defence has established 93 different diversity networks for personnel to discuss race, gender and mental health. https://t.co/reqUGtNMSB
'In the middle of a warzone a soldier stops and prays to Allah' Nigel Farage says our military no longer cares about being the best, just about meeting diversity targets, as he worries foreign forces 'struggle to take us seriously'. https://t.co/RnjDUAWbjs
WATCH: Ex-Army officer warns against woke recruitment strategy - 'Dangerous road to follow!' https://t.co/ux530y4cGC
'I think there has been some plot losing going on deep in the dungeons of the MoD.' Former head of the British Army, Richard Dannatt, reacts to the British Army's proposal to loosen security checks on applicants in order to boost diversity. https://t.co/ZKPyYPdIMb
'I think there has been some plot losing going on deep in the Dungeons of the MoD.' Former head of the British Army, Richard Dannatt, reacts to the British Army's proposal to loosen security checks on applicants in order to boost diversity. https://t.co/ZBvIQdSmJ8
U.K. defense chief vows to stamp out distracting 'woke culture' in armed forces https://t.co/fxXudbTVPv
'Merit has always got to be the final arbiter.' Former British Army Officer, Lt Col Stuart Crawford, says that the army faces a 'dangerous road' if it begins choosing applicants based on diversity rather than skill. https://t.co/rcomeZyUvZ
Former Defence Minister Sir Gerald Howarth says it's a “complete and utter absurdity” to have diversity targets in the military. “Forget this wokery, let’s just recruit our own people whose loyalty will therefore not be in question!” @TVKev | @ThatAlexWoman https://t.co/UK24vL3pIj
Former British Army Captain Dr Patrick Bury says the armed forces planning to relax security vetting to encourage foreign recruits is “going too far.” “It’s about officer commissioning and trying to get a more diverse number.” @TVKev | @ThatAlexWoman https://t.co/YU2ef5BmxD
Thank goodness senior military figures are speaking out. Armed Forces recruitment has been outsourced to @CapitaPlc. Is it any wonder that we have this woke madness going on? Grant Shapps can criticise this culture all he likes, but it's happened under the Conservatives! https://t.co/zFLIQG1V4W
The former Chief of General Staff said the Army had lost sight of its principles and forgetting the importance of Britain's Christian roots in pursuit of a "woke agenda".
'The British Army has one purpose, to defend the British people' Tory MP speaks out after Grant Shapps claims 'WOKE extremists are rife!' https://t.co/WmVPQVHBKl
🔴Defence Secretary says military needs a ‘proper shake-up’ to refocus its core mission of ‘being a lethal fighting force’ Read this story and more for free by joining our WhatsApp channel ⬇️ https://t.co/h3LnpsDuY9 https://t.co/kHUuKmZG6X
‘There is no way we are going to be easing up security requirements for ideological requests.' Tom Tugendhat MP reacts to Grant Shapps’ claims that the British military needs a ‘proper shake-up’ to refocus its core mission of ‘being a lethal fighting force’. https://t.co/MhFdvrQkWh
‘There is no way we are going to be easing up security requirements for ideological requests.' Tom Tugendhat MP reacts to Grant shapps’ claims that the British military needs a ‘proper shake-up’ to refocus its core mission of ‘being a lethal fighting force’. https://t.co/wHF5RDdCRE
'When the military go woke, you know you're in trouble. Because the Taliban aren’t woke, ISIS aren’t woke, the Iranian regime is not woke, and neither is Putin' 'This is a war on common sense, and Britain's national security is turning into national insanity.' @MrMarkDolan https://t.co/Nk6YzUScyu
🔴 Defence Secretary says military needs a ‘proper shake-up’ to refocus its core mission of ‘being a lethal fighting force’ Read this front page story here ⬇️ https://t.co/CoioBCczLf https://t.co/IHPS0aRozt
‘We should be choosing the best people for the job, not box tickers. We're doomed! And we’re weakening ourselves with this nonsense’ Mark slams British Army chiefs after leaked docs reveal plans to 'hire from abroad' and 'increase ethnic diversity'. @MrMarkDolan https://t.co/jYJArdYJwY
On Mark Dolan Tonight, live from 9pm... As it's revealed military chiefs are recruiting from overseas to hit diversity targets, is wokery compromising Britain’s national security? What do you think? 🤔