Our real heroes
The irrepressible Michael Ashcroft hosted a party last night in the Imperial War Museum, a perfect backdrop for the launch of his book on Victoria Cross heroes. He has built up a unique collection of VC medals and admirably will be placing them in one accessible place in London.
In amongst the millions who have fought for this country over the years, has been a small group of British and Commonwealth servicemen who were accorded the highest possible recognition of their valour. Yesterday evening was beautifully organised, and both memorable and humbling.
All our national institutions, from the Church to Parliament to the Royal Family, have been under sustained criticism in the past few decades. The one national institution which is still held in the highest esteem is our armed forces.
No Prime Minister has in peace time deployed our service personnel as much as Tony Blair. They are overstretched, undermanned, and without adequate equipment. Service chiefs have warned that this situation is not sustainable.
Those who win the Victoria Cross have undertaken unique acts of bravery. However, let us spare a thought today for our service personnel who are enduring so much in Afghanistan and Iraq in extremely difficult circumstances. If there are indeed heroes in our contemporary society, it is certainly them.