Backing the Royal British Legion campaign

06/10/2009 by Steve Barclay.

At the Conservative Conference I catch up with Kevin Shinkwin and Charlotte Tailby of the Royal British Legion.  They have set out a manifesto for the next Government to improve conditions for the British Armed Forces past and present and their families. It encourages MPs and Candidates to “do their bit” for Service Personnel and their families, the bereaved, veterans and dependants.  It is a chance to add my support to their campaign.

The Royal British Legion is a tremendous force for good.  The sad reality is that Gordon Brown has never been willing to pay for Tony Blair’s wars.  Troops have been sent to war without all the equipment they need.  Attempts to fight on the cheap - like the mad decision to cut £1.4 billion from the helicopter budget in 2004 whilst the army was fighting two wars - have cost lives and left many more young men and women with serious injuries.  The Royal British Legion does so much to help young and old veterans and their families faced with hardship.

The need to respond to their agenda will get greater I expect in the years ahead.  More service personnel from the Falklands campaign have committed suicide than were killed in action.  There is likely to be a hidden time bomb of mental health issues from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.  In Liam Fox we will have a Defence Secretary who is also a GP, and who both understands the challenge this will pose and has the will to address it.  It will not be cheap, and with the economy in such a mess money will be short.  However it must be a priority.  Care for troops cannot stop when they are no longer in uniform.

As Kevin said, the entire Armed Forces family needs the support of politicians from all parties.  I hope all candidates will back their campaign.  You can find out more by visiting their website -www.timetodoyourbit.org.uk

Steve is pictured with Charlotte Tailby of the Royal British Legion

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