Labour’s candidate for Portsmouth South Stephen Morgan has said that Britain’s deep gratitude to veterans, armed forces personnel and their families will be recognised with the passing of new legislation for our Armed Forces communities.
Earlier this week, Mr Morgan welcomed Labour leader Keir Starmer to Portsmouth for the D-Day 80 national commemorations, meeting local veterans and sea cadets – the fifth time Mr Starmer had visited Portsmouth in recent years demonstrating how seriously the Labour Party takes the defence of the nation and Portsmouth’s role in providing it.
Under Labour, a new Armed Forces Commissioner will be established, as a strong independent champion for service personnel and their families to improve everyday life.
New legislation will also put the Armed Forces Covenant fully into law, strengthening the rights of veterans, service personnel and their families.
Labour’s plan for veterans, armed forces personnel, and their families:
The new policies that Labour is announcing includes:
- New Armed Forces Commissioner: Holding the government to account with a strong independent champion for our serving forces and their families by legislating for an Armed Forces Commissioner in the first King’s Speech; and
- New Armed Forces Covenant: Ensuring everyone who serves or has served in the Armed Forces, and their families, are treated with fairness and respect by bringing the Armed Forces Covenant fully into law;
Labour’s new laws are the first stage in our plan to improve everyday life for serving personnel and their families, and our veterans. Labour will work closely to develop the final legislation with veterans and service charities.
Labour candidate for Portsmouth South, Stephen Morgan said:
“As we mark Portsmouth’s Armed Forces Day, we must remember the deep gratitude and respect serving men and women of our Armed Forces deserve and the treatment they should be entitled to.
“That’s why Labour has set out how we will improve the lives for those who serve and their families in Portsmouth and elsewhere.
“With a new independent champion, a legal guarantee of fair treatment and ensuring our veterans are properly respected, we will right the wrongs of recent years in the treatment of our Forces and their families.”
Announcing the plan, Keir Starmer said:
“The ultimate service is that of our armed forces personnel and veterans. Britain owes a huge debt of gratitude for all they have given our country.
My changed Labour Party, once again a party of service, will repay that commitment with a new package of support for veterans, service personnel and their families. We will establish a new Armed Forces Commissioner and enshrine a new Armed Forces Covenant fully into law.”
As Shadow Armed Forces Minister, Mr Morgan led Labour’s response to the Armed Forces Bill calling for the Government to go further in supporting service personnel and their families on issues such as accommodation and actions to improve morale and satisfaction.
