Does the British Army have enough helicopters in Afghanistan? I don’t know, you probably don’t really know, and many have argued that Bob Ainsworth, the new Defence Secretary, doesn’t have a clue.

So, should there be a man, or woman, with military experience in Cabinet to speak up with authority on behalf of the armed forces?

Gordon Brown has become infuriated by the Conservatives attacks on the Government’s military spending, he argues that the issue should be non-partisan, but there is a feeling on the forums and websites used by servicemen that no one is representing their needs.