‘Nothing wrong with fighting (yes, killing) for values’: MP bemoans lack of interest in violence
In a bid to persuade young people to join the army, veteran and Tory MP Johnny Mercer decried how unpopular violence has become, tweeting: “Nothing wrong with fighting (yes killing) for values/what you believe in.”
The hawkish Mercer, a former British army captain who served in Afghanistan, later added, somewhat ambiguously, that “at some point – somewhere – someone – is going to have to stand up to Russia in the traditional sense.”
The application of violence to defeat the enemies of the nation has become worryingly unpopular. Nothing wrong with fighting (yes killing) for values/what you believe in. The oppressed/bullied/tormented/voiceless deserve it. Join the fight; best thing you’ll ever do. https://t.co/pkKHy32Sgi
— Johnny Mercer MP (@JohnnyMercerUK) November 26, 2018
At some point - somewhere - someone - is going to have to stand up to Russia in the traditional sense. https://t.co/ZPF2owgBUG
— Johnny Mercer MP (@JohnnyMercerUK) November 26, 2018
Later posting: "Wonder if there’s any spare bunks..." beside a story on a Royal Navy ship being sent, according to Plymouth Herald, to "Black Sea amid Russia and Ukraine tensions."
Wonder if there’s any spare bunks.. https://t.co/wieZqZAb6l
— Johnny Mercer MP (@JohnnyMercerUK) November 27, 2018
Mercer, supposedly an up-and-coming force in the Tory party, was reminded by those on Twitter that killing for what you believe in can prove problematic.
Armies don't fight for what they believe in; they fight for what their government believes in...
— Neil Marshall #FBPE (@ANMarshall) November 26, 2018
Use of war to settle issues became "worryingly unpopular" in Britain in 1916 or thereabouts. Your banging a drum for war a century later is a gross disrespect to the men, far better than you or I, still buried in Flanders mud.
— Chris Corney (@ChrisCorney1) November 27, 2018
Some reminded Mercer of his fellow MP, Labour’s Jo Cox, who was killed by a far-right nationalist. Meanwhile, others referenced terrorists including ISIS and the IRA who have killed British citizens based on their beliefs.
I'm sure the same arguement was used by ISIS and the killer of Jo Cox
— John Fielder - #IStandWithHarry (@JohnFielder1) November 27, 2018
“Nothing wrong with fighting (yes killing) for values/what you believe in.”Sounds like you’re excusing people like the Manchester Bomber & Jo Cox’s murderer.
— Kav 🌹 (@LeftWingKav) November 27, 2018
Isn’t that what Jo Cox’s murderer thought?
— RogerJarman (@pedanteric5) November 27, 2018
Others took a different tact, @TheGraveside garnered hundreds of likes when posting that the husband of Mercer’s boss, Philip May, has numerous financial interests in arms companies.
Not forgetting the huge profits war brings to you and your associates pic.twitter.com/tOpbvPxIVi
— Rabble Cat (@TheGraveside) November 27, 2018
Concerning Russia, Mercer has been one of parliament’s most hawkish MPs. In the fallout over the Skripal poisoning, he asked how Russia could remain on the UN Security Council as one of its five permanent members.
READ MORE: ‘They will only respond to strength’: MPs outdo each other with hawkish plans for Russia
“How Russia can credibly remain a P5 member is hard to see. UNSC becoming obselete [sic] with Russia committing war-like acts on another P5 member. New body/forum required? They will only respond to strength.”
Despite Mercer’s much-referenced time in the army, he came under fire from veteran charities this year after suggesting that they overstate PTSD to receive more funding.
Like this story? Share it with a friend!
Subscribe to RT newsletter to get stories the mainstream media won’t tell you.
