Local Liberal Democrat highlights MPs failure to support the armed forces

5.36.00pm GMT Tue 15th Jan 2008

Local Rutland and Melton Liberal Democrat, Grahame Hudson, has written to four local newspapers to highlight the failure of Labour and Tory MPs to support servicemen and women. The letters were published in the Rutland Times, Rutland Mercury, Melton Times and Harborough Mail at the end of December.

On Wednesday 12 December 2007 the Liberal Democrats proposed an opposition day motion calling for the upgrading of service accommodation, greater provision for mental health and medical care for service personnel, the introduction of a coroners' bill to address delays in inquests into military fatalities, ring-fencing the defence budget for welfare and the renewal of the Military Covenant between the nation and the armed forces. Sadly, it was defeated by 302 votes to 71 with the majority of Labour MPs voting against and the Tories abstaining.

Grahame, a former Royal Navy officer and a founder member of Liberal Democrat Friends of the Armed Forces, said that it was no wonder that servicemen and women feel betrayed and undervalued by the Government and MPs in general. They are voting with their feet and leaving the forces in droves. Service personnel from Rutland and Melton's three military bases are currently serving in Afghanistan and Iraq and they and their families deserve better support from their elected representatives.

Related Link:

Liberal Democrats use Opposition Day for Military Covenant Debate.