Talk:Paddy Ashdown

Written works
There's a list of his written works but no discussion of it in the article - is it not worth mentioning that he's written some interesting non-fiction as well? (Lordjim13 (talk) 11:02, 3 July 2024 (UTC))

The honored man
Just look at short summary: Father was British colonial officer in India, who was presented here as hero of Dankerk yet there is failure to explain what "justice and honor" he was giving to Indian people. Was that man ever denounced his father and British policies in India. If he was this should be stated here. If not then this should be stated too. Initially Labourist, who changed mind to something very different and become Liberal, enjoying wealthy life in Switzerland, during the suffering of English miners. Now actively blaming others for opportunism. Well "it takes a crook to get a crook" Rousvelt would say. Socialist but Baron Ashdown of Norton-sub-Hamdon. British muscle of international justice but son of colonialist and Knight of the British Empire 2000.

Point: Please put Peddies opinion of British colonial presence in India. Put more light on reasons to change Labour believes for fancy life in Switzerland

Thanks

20:32, 28 May 2011 (UTC)20:32, 28 May 2011 (UTC)`` — Preceding unsigned comment added by 79.101.218.99 (talk)


 * Why should Ashdown's views on India - if any - be relevant to a summary of his fathers military service? This is supposed to be an encyclopaedia, not Indian nationalist propaganda.

I doubt that the summary of John Ashdown's military service is correct. As far as I can see the 14th Punjabi was not at Dunkirk, and it is unlikely that an officer would be ordered to abandon his regiment.203.184.41.226 (talk) 22:44, 25 August 2012 (UTC)

Captain John Ashdown had transferred to ISSC and was in charge of 32nd Mule team. If you think it unlikely that an officer be ordered to abandon his regiment, you underestimate the racism inherent in my country. We like to believe we are better than we were, some of us are not sure. 217.140.106.52 (talk) 09:41, 6 August 2018 (UTC)

UN Job Title
In a number of articles relating to the war in the Former Yugoslavia, he's listed as the UN Representative of B-H, rather than the UN Representative for B-H, which could either be a typo or a subtle jab at his role, or something else entirely. I know next to nothing about the region or its history, so I'm hesitant to do anything myself, but I know enough to know that it's very controversial, so I thought I'd mention it here in case more informed editors wanted to do some work.

50.100.2.196 (talk) 00:55, 25 September 2013 (UTC)

Military awards
I've just removed the following from the article as I can't immediately verify them and it's holding this up from the main page. Please re-add them if they can be verified. Thryduulf (talk) 11:45, 23 December 2018 (UTC)
 * Naval General Service Medal 1915 BAR.svg Naval General Service Medal with Borneo Clasp
 * General Service Medal 1962 BAR.svg General Service Medal with Northern Ireland Clasp


 * Just to note that we would not normally include these as they are not particularly noteworthy. MilborneOne (talk) 23:43, 26 December 2018 (UTC)
 * Thanks for that, I'll not both spending any more effort searching for verification then. Thryduulf (talk) 10:59, 28 December 2018 (UTC)
 * The important information is that he served in Borneo and Northern Ireland. That is present and cited, though some more precision on the dates could be added if in the sources. Carcharoth (talk) 10:25, 3 January 2019 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 23 December 2018
Add new material as below. Details about the DW organisation can be found on www.dwrace.co.uk. This information submitted by Robin Meads, Vice President - contact rmjud2018@gmail.com

In 2008, Lord "Paddy" Ashdown became a Vice President of the Devizes to Westminster Organisation Ltd (a voluntary organisation that operates the international canoe & kayak race from Devizes to Westminster over Easter each year - first run 1948). In 1965 he had won the Folding Boat trophy, paddling for the Royal Marines, at a time when the race was dominated by military crews. The folding boat was a canoe type used by the Royal Marines. 77.99.48.97 (talk) 16:47, 23 December 2018 (UTC)
 * this page is no longer protected and may be edited directly. — xaosflux  Talk 06:08, 25 December 2018 (UTC)

A Commons file used on this page or its Wikidata item has been nominated for speedy deletion
The following Wikimedia Commons file used on this page or its Wikidata item has been nominated for speedy deletion: You can see the reason for deletion at the file description page linked above. —Community Tech bot (talk) 06:36, 10 March 2020 (UTC)
 * Signature of Paddy Ashdown.png

Image
I have added Ashdown's parliamentary portrait, from 2018, to the article. This is his official parliamentary picture, yet another editor, called Neveselbert, is reverting it to one from 2005. Can someone stop them. Ladislyzk77 (talk) 12:34, 27 June 2021 (UTC)


 * I won't revert you again, but your disruptive editing has been contrary to WP:BRD. His "official parliamentary picture" is of inferior quality to his official portrait from 2005. The subject of the article is no longer alive so there is no reason to use a more recent portrait that is of inferior quality. &#8209;&#8209;Neveselbert (talk · contribs · email) 12:37, 27 June 2021 (UTC)
 * It's not of inferior quality. It is literally one from Parliament and similar to one, I note, many other articles use. Ladislyzk77 (talk) 12:38, 27 June 2021 (UTC)
 * It's of inferior quality in terms of being the best representation of the subject. The 2005 portrait is of Ashdown as the European Union Special Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina. He has a higher claim to fame in this role than as a member of the House of Lords. Please stop accusing me of vandalism and familiarise yourself with WP:NOTVANDAL. &#8209;&#8209;Neveselbert (talk · contribs · email) 12:43, 27 June 2021 (UTC)
 * Why are you talking about fame? I added a picture from 2018 because it was the most recent professional picture, whereas you added one from 2005. You've now changed your meaning of inferior quality from image quality to job title/fame. You're just making up reason now... Ladislyzk77 (talk) 12:47, 27 June 2021 (UTC)
 * No, I'm not. Like I said, the subject is no longer alive, therefore there is no need to use "the most recent professional picture" irrespective of quality. The 2005 portrait was taken by an employee of the European Union as the official portrait of the Special Representative, Lord Ashdown. It's also a portrait of the subject in his prime, whereas the parliamentary portrait was taken the year he died. &#8209;&#8209;Neveselbert (talk · contribs · email) 12:52, 27 June 2021 (UTC)
 * It should also be noted that the 2005 portrait has been assessed under the valued image criteria and is considered the most valued image on Commons within the scope: Paddy Ashdown, portrait photography. &#8209;&#8209;Neveselbert (talk · contribs · email) 13:31, 27 June 2021 (UTC)