Reform Chairman. Cockney. Cigar smoker. ⚒️ ⚓️
London, England
Joined February 2009
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nick vandyke retweeted
During a silent patrol, the crew of a Royal Navy Amphion-class submarine investigates an unfamiliar sound echoing through the hull.
In the 125-year history of the Royal Navy Submarine Service nearly 6000 submariners and over 150 submarines never returned. Lest we forget.
nick vandyke retweeted
Marvin Shanken was a true original. He took his passion for cigars, wine and the good life and built something the whole world could share.
When everyone told him Cigar Aficionado would fail, he did it anyway, and he sparked a cigar revolution that brought people together all over the world.
Marvin was a visionary, a champion for charity, and a great friend. My thoughts are with Hazel and the whole family. I'll light up a stogie for Marvin tonight.
nick vandyke retweeted
John Healey will cut £2bn from the defence budget despite boasting about filling a funding black hole.
Read more from our defence editors 👇
telegraph.co.uk/politics/202…
nick vandyke retweeted
#OTD in 1805, the Royal Navy defeated the combined forces of France and Spain at Trafalgar.
The tactical brilliance, professionalism, technology and training which underpinned Adm Lord Nelson’s stunning victory have driven and shaped the Navy ever since.
#TrafalgarDay
nick vandyke retweeted
🚨 NEW: Nigel Farage has announced Armed Forces Reserves will pay no tax on the pay they receive
nick vandyke retweeted
I simply cannot stand Conservatives talking tough on defence, immigration or the economy
It’s because of THEIR failures that we’re in this mess.
Then they have the audacity to say we should trust them again.
Absolutely not.
A powerful intervention from the head of the Army. Something is coming, and government needs to wake up.
He says the public will have to make sacrifices so we can prioritise defence and security.
This is no time for “national security can’t come at the expense of social security”. Hard choices are coming whether ministers like it or not.
I have been clear where I would start: cut welfare spending and put the money into defence.
nick vandyke retweeted
We must strengthen the garrison on the Falklands to make it too costly for Argentina to even consider military intervention.
Now is the time to act.
🚨🇫🇰 NEW: President Milei says Argentina will “take matters into [their] own hands” to gain control of the Falkland Islands
[dubbed in English via @UN]
Readers added context they thought people might want to know
The clip omits important context: In the full 23 Sep 2026 UN speech, Milei’s “take matters into our own hands” refers to sanctions on Sea Lion oil firms + a sovereignty bill amid UN inaction. He stressed a “peaceful, practical, and effective defense” and called for UK talks.
gadebate.un.org/en/81/argentina
nick vandyke retweeted
RUSSIA: Nigel Farage said:
“Given how seriously the French Government is taking Russian drone threats, it is fair to ask, are we doing enough?
It’s high time the Government started taking this threat seriously and briefed opposition leaders on the threats and consequences for UK security.”
nick vandyke retweeted
Britain must once again become a naval superpower to counter Vladimir Putin’s fleet, the head of the Navy has said.
Gen Sir Gwyn Jenkins said the UK urgently needed to build more traditional warships and drones to protect the Atlantic from Russia ⤵️
telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/09…
nick vandyke retweeted
It seriously looks like Labour want as many people on benefits as possible.
Control people’s money, control the way they have to vote.
nick vandyke retweeted
🚨NEW: Chancellor John Healey will drop his own target of spending 3 per cent of Britain's GDP on defence by 2030 when he presents his first Budget in October, despite resigning from Keir Starmer's government over "inadequate military spending"
[@FT]
The @TheSun should perhaps stop attacking Shipmates stuck in port and perhaps question consecutive Governments that have cause them to be stuck there.
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nick vandyke retweeted
Norway may row. But England roars 🦁🦁🦁
Good luck tonight team, from our Armed Forces around the world! 🏴
@England
nick vandyke retweeted
I will curb my language but that tweet is disgusting. You profess to be an advocate of human rights, and the right to be treated with dignity after death is a basic human right everyone should have, yet you rejoice in her death. Yes, her religion guided her views on equality issues, and I had many disagreements with her, but as a gay man I counted her as a friend, as did many others. She was actually a profoundly kind person. She endorsed my candidacy knowing of my sexuality. She softened her views on equal marriage and told me in 2019 she would not support reversing it.
So be ashamed of yourself today, Peter. You do some great work, but in this instance it's you that's the bigot. Bigoted against the dead, and bringing upset to those of us who counted Ann as a friend. Think on that.
This quoted post is unavailable.
nick vandyke retweeted
‘Ailing’ military homes face four-year wait for government-funded upgrades dlvr.it/TTJFF9 #ukhousing
nick vandyke retweeted
NEW: There will be no new Type 83 Destroyers or Type 32 Frigates in the upcoming defence investment plan 💥
I'm told the DIP will be published on Tuesday with £1bn - £1.5bn more than John Healey secured.
It will also include:
⚓️Some kind of new crewed vessel - but not a destroyer or frigate.
⚓️A new uncrewed systems taskforce focused on drone warfare, based out of Swindon.
⚓️The money for GCAP is definitely secured, bringing us a new stealth fighter jet
⚓️As is the money for the F35-A nuclear enabled plane
⚓️Hundreds of millions for a new Multilateral Defence Mechanism for military financing
⚓️ £500 million to equip UK Commando Force
BUT I'm hearing there will be cutbacks. Particularly:
🌊 Slowing down the rate of recruitment for the UK's cadet force.
🌊 Slowing down the rate that military homes are refurbished.
You can read the full article with @lara_spirit on the front page of The Sunday Times @thetimes today and below👇
nick vandyke retweeted
It’s @ArmedForcesDay
From training and innovation to operations around the globe, #RoyalNavy personnel play a vital role in defending the UK and deterring those who threaten our security.
Thank you for keeping the UK secure at home and strong abroad.
#ArmedForcesWeek #AFW26
