Parliamentary Candidate Terry Scriven at the Totton Remembrance Service

This follows the publication by the Liberal Democrats of ‘Our Nation’s Duty’, an action plan for improving armed forces welfare, including the upgrading of service accommodation and improved medical care and counselling.

Terry said, “ For decades British governments, both Labour and Conservative, have failed to invest in fair treatment for our troops who are close to breaking point.  Critical overstretch, lack of equipment, poor quality accommodation, and inadequate care are just some of the ways they are being let down.”

Totton, County and District Councillor Alan Weeks said, “ The members of the armed forces give their utmost for their country and are prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice.  We therefore have a duty of care to all our servicemen and women who show bravery and courage.  There is no excuse for being cheap when dealing with their welfare”. 

The Liberal Democrats believe the time has come to have a new military covenant that ensures politicians honour their debt to the armed forces.  Patrick Leavey the Royal British Legion’s Head of public Affairs wrote “ I thank Terry Scriven for raising the Legion’s covenant campaign at the Liberal Democrat conference and for speaking out so passionately on behalf of the armed forces.”

“ The Liberal Democrats have now forced a debate on armed forces welfare in the House of Commons on Wednesday”, said Terry.  “I am particularly pleased the suggestion I made about setting up, an all party Parliamentary Committee to ensure the military covenant is being maintained, has been included. 

 I have written to the New Forest East Conservative MP urging him to back the Liberal Democrats when our proposals are put to the vote, especially as the Military Port of Marchwood is a key military base within the constituency of New Forest East”.

It is with great disappointment that I inform you of the result of the the motion that I wrote about before the debate.

A Liberal Democrat proposal to give the armed forces a better deal has been rejected by the Government. The Liberal Democrat motion calling for the upgrading of service accommodation and greater provision for mental health and medical care for service personnel was voted down by 302 votes to 71, with Labour MPs voting against and Conservatives abstaining.

Very sad.  I will keep on campaigning for a better deal for our servicemen and women and also for the Cold war campaign medal.  Currently I have a written question down in Parliament asking how many of our soldiers died on duty in the Cold War and how many were so badly injured they had to leave the Service.  My guess is that close on 1,000 service people died and many thousands were injured. 

I ask you to email me and support my campaign for the Cold War medal.