Skip to main content
Armed ForcesCommunityDefenceNews and viewsParliament

Portsmouth MP promoted in Starmer’s new top team

By 9 April 2020No Comments

The official leader of the opposition, Keir Starmer MP has today named Stephen Morgan MP as Shadow Minister for the Armed Forces.

The city MP Stephen Morgan has secured the key role in the shadow defence team following the election of Keir Starmer as the new Labour Leader last week.

The promotion comes after the Portsmouth South MP served on Labour’s frontbench as Shadow Local Government Minister for Communities, and temporarily as Shadow Defence Procurement Minister.

Responding to the appointment, Stephen Morgan MP said:

“The protection of its people is the first priority of any Government. Our armed forces work hard to keep us safe and secure so that we can live our lives to the full without fear.

I am hugely proud of our nation’s armed forces and the role Britain’s highly skilled workforce play in supporting them.

It is a privilege to be asked, and accept, an opportunity to serve in Keir Starmer’s top team.

I look forward to working alongside the newly appointed Shadow Defence Secretary John Healey, and colleagues, being a strong national voice for our armed forces and challenging hard on the opposition frontbench on behalf of service personnel and the British public when the Government falls short”.

Since being elected an MP in 2017 in the heart and home of the Royal Navy, the Portsmouth South representative has been taking action to support Britain’s armed forces. Mr Morgan has taken particular interest in the pay and conditions of personnel, campaigning for bespoke mental health support for those who serve, and lobbying government to take measures to tackle veteran suicide.

Mr Morgan’s new responsibilities include operations, operational legal matters, force recruitment and retention, and international defence engagement among a number of other areas.

Shadow Defence Secretary, John Healey MP, said:

“I’m delighted Stephen is part of Labour’s new shadow defence team. He’s a proven national voice on defence matters with a track record of holding the Government to account on behalf of our armed forces. He’ll be a major asset to our front bench team.

Stephen has parliamentary experience raising defence matters and has spent time engaging with our troops and the defence industry. I am confident he will serve the opposition and our country well as the new Shadow Minister for the Armed Forces.”

Recognising the challenges ahead, the new Shadow Minister added:

“My Portsmouth-born grandfather, who played such an active part in the Royal Army Service Corp for the D-Day landings, was one of the main reasons I was inspired to get into politics. I want to make sure that those who bravely serve our nation are recognised and valued by society.

Today amidst the coronavirus crisis at home, and a global pandemic not respecting any border, our armed forces are already stepping up and are ready and responding to the challenges Covid-19 bring.

Our armed forces are well disposed to support the nation in its time of need. We are already seeing our troops helping on the ground and in our communities by supporting our NHS and other emergency and frontline services in keeping us safe.

For that, and for the tasks they are set to do for our nation as times get tough, I am hugely grateful”.

Now, more than ever, during this time of crisis, with 2,680 armed forces personnel helping combat Covid-19, checks and balances to government decision-making will be essential.

As well as being an active member of the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme, the MP specialised in defence and military capabilities when sitting on the Public Accounts Committee and served as the Shadow Defence Procurement Minister (January 2020 – April 2020) constructively engaging with the country’s defence and aerospace industries.