Heart of Invictus Well done that man!

[Rosiem2808]

Prince Harry keeping it real

But I thought Invictus wasn’t about H and M ?
Surely it’s a good thing that the government wants to support veterans ?

Gosh we’ve had such a nice few positive days around here without all that unpleasantness.

I think loads of posters will be really pleased to see UK hosting Invictus again if it happens. I think Harry will be happy about it also. I am sure he will have a say in it, also, which feels appropriate to me.

Well well well... seems yesterday's UK government budget also included... £26 million to support the bid to bring the Invictus Games to Birmingham in 2027.'

Yayy good news. Everyone will be happy to support the very worthy vets.

I understand why Johnny Mercer is keen to bring the Games here but honestly - I think the bid is really a bad idea - what with Birmingham Council running out of money and on the back of the real struggles the UK economy and government - I don't think that this is a reasonable bid in this climate.

You make a very good point @skullbabe however can you imagine the comments if it was felt the U.K. wasn’t supporting Invictus ?

I agree. And 26M to bid seems a bit much? Maybe that includes demonstrations of ability to host the games to what the vets deserve? Doesn't seem wise in times of austerity.

The UK can show their support in ways posters have previously suggested: simply having the Head of the Forces send a message to the competitors and cheering them on.

I’m not sure in the current climate if 3 years is a long enough period gap for the games which include Israel in the Uk. The Birmingham bid I’m assuming will be subsidised how the previous games in the UK where

The Birmingham Bid is being subsidised by the Government - in this climate really not a great idea.

I think it would be lovely for the city/town that does win the bid to have of course Johnny Mercer or whoever is in his post at that time attend like he did for Dusseldorf and I know he has plans to attend Whistler (if he's in the very unlikely positin of still being in post) and for Charles to send a message of support to the veterans.

I agree. For both the reason you state, but I also don't think it would be good for the games as the media would be relentless. I think WashingtonDC is putting in a bid too?

It won’t be good for Birmingham City council to host even if subsidised by the government perhaps in the future as I think it’s a shame but I don’t think the time is right for the people of Birmingham.

Regardless of H&M, I agree that the optics of Birmingham hosting are not good. Totally off topic, but I reckon I could sort out all council budgets by taking an axe to the amount of councillors. They cost an absolute fortune and I would say 95% of them are utterly pointless and not fit for purpose (personal knowledge!!!).

Hmmmmmm… clearly, those in charge in Birmingham and in the UK government are of a different view. They may be making the calculation that hosting will bring economic and other benefits commensurate with or in excess of the cost. And that the Games may galvanise the city and spur growth, for all we know.

At any rate, who’s to know what the situation will be in 2026-27? There clearly will be a change of government this year, and this may have implications for local authority budgets and regional economic growth strategies.

I am circumspect about Birmingham’s bid for other reasons. I believe other places have a stronger track record of government and public support for the Invictus Games than has the UK, particularly recently.

But, £26 million, I hear you say! Is that a lot, or small change? How much did Germany spend on Düsseldorf?

Time will tell. My dc was at Birmingham uni and my mum was born there so it has a small place in my heart! And it has Cadbury’s world 😁

Not too sure about that Birmingham/government view, TallerSally, since while we may all agree about the value of Invictus in itself too many such people regard these things as just another vanity project to benefit themselves

And they love vanity projects, not least because of the opportunities for lots of meetings, funded jollies to "see how it's done", something to crow about on election leaflets and much more

Sadly, long experience teaches that the respected vets would be a useful handle to hang all the activity on, but are unlikely to be the real focus of their interet

**while we may all agree about the value of Invictus in itself too many such people regard these things as just another vanity project to benefit themselves

And they love vanity projects, not least because of the opportunities for lots of meetings, funded jollies to "see how it's done", something to crow about....

Sadly, long experience teaches that the respected vets would be a useful handle to hang all the activity on, but are unlikely to be the real focus of their interest**

Yes that’s been my perception of H&M

Less H more MM

I meant the local/central governments, @Porkfest (!!) but wouldn't necessarily argue with your own take on it

In fairness, having served himself, I'd expect Harry at least to have some understanding of the vets' challenges, but I wouldn't want to assume where the line falls between genuine concern and self publicity any more than with the rest of the RF

The issue with all the complaining about H&M on these boards and in the British media is... I don't hear the vets complaining. Not remotely!

Sure, some might be encouraged by the likes of the muck-raking DM to whinge here and there. But for every whinger, there are dozens more vets willing to go on the record absolutely full of praise and gratitude for the Invictus opportunity AND for both Harry and Meghan in supporting and promoting it.

Countless footage of H&M and other Invictus guests being embraced by the Invictus participants, cheering loudly and trying to get selfies with Meg. At one point in Dusseldorf last September people were pulling at her so much that Harry had to shield her.

So folks can criticise to their hearts' content on these boards - they are not the target audience for Invictus, and as long as the vets are happy with Invictus and with M&H's role in it, they will not regard Invictus as their vanity project.

But please, do keep criticising! Not sure how well it reflects on y'all...

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2023/09/14/duke-and-duchess-of-sussex-mobbed-crowds-invictus-games/

The issue with all the complaining about H&M on these boards and in the British media is... I don't hear the vets complaining. Not remotely!

It 1-2 posters really. You said people are easily ignored. 🤷‍♀️