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Category: Defence

  • Keir Starmer – 2020 Comments on the Armed Forces

    Keir Starmer – 2020 Comments on the Armed Forces

    The comments made by Keir Starmer, the Leader of the Opposition, on 12 November 2020.

    It was an honour to spend the morning with the Standing Joint Command, the team that year-on-year provides the resilience and backup that we need, from floods to bomb disposal.

    This year, they have provided vital support on Covid-19: delivering protective equipment, running mobile testing and setting up Nightingale hospitals at speed. It has been absolutely phenomenal.

    There is a great pride across the country in what our Armed Forces are doing day in day out, and in response to this pandemic. They have been so committed to our country. I was grateful for the opportunity to say thank you to our Armed Forces for everything they do.

  • John Healey – 2020 Comments on Report in Carrier Strike

    John Healey – 2020 Comments on Report in Carrier Strike

    The comments made by John Healey, the Shadow Defence Secretary, on 13 November 2020.

    The PAC points to gaps in Britain’s defences caused directly by the Ministry of Defence’s failure to plan, fund and commission the systems and equipment that these new carriers need to be fully deployed.

    The Carrier strike capability is central to our national defence but it is being undermined by the Government’s incompetence.

    The Defence Secretary must get a grip of these problems.

  • Ben Wallace – 2020 Comments on Remembrance Sunday

    Ben Wallace – 2020 Comments on Remembrance Sunday

    The comments made by Ben Wallace, the Secretary of State for Defence, on 8 November 2020.

    Many of the men and women on parade today have already taken part in efforts to fight coronavirus and many more will do so in the weeks to come. I applaud their selflessness.

    Whilst remembrance looks different this year, we have made extra efforts to demonstrate our undiminished respect for those who have gone before, and our firm commitment to the continued safety of the British people.

  • Oliver Dowden – 2020 Comments on Remembrance Sunday

    Oliver Dowden – 2020 Comments on Remembrance Sunday

    The comments made by Oliver Dowden, the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, on 8 November 2020.

    Remembrance Sunday is an important date in our national calendar when we come together as a nation to remember and give thanks to those who made the ultimate sacrifice fighting for our freedoms.

    While this year’s service is a little different to normal, I want to encourage everyone to get involved from their own homes – watch on your TV, research your family history – but most importantly, keep safe.

  • Boris Johnson – 2020 Comments on Remembrance Sunday

    Boris Johnson – 2020 Comments on Remembrance Sunday

    The comments made by Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister, on 8 November 2020.

    We come together every November to commemorate the servicemen and women from Britain and the Commonwealth who sacrificed their lives for our freedom.

    In this time of adversity, no virus can stop us from honouring their memory, particularly when we have just celebrated the 75th anniversary of victory in the Second World War.

    And in times of trial, our tributes matter even more. So let’s come together once again and remember those to whom we owe so much.

  • Ben Wallace – 2020 Comments on Afghan Interpreters

    Ben Wallace – 2020 Comments on Afghan Interpreters

    The comments made by Ben Wallace, the Secretary of State for Defence, on 22 October 2020.

    Interpreters played a vital role in supporting our Armed Forces in Afghanistan and we owe it to them to make sure their sacrifice is properly rewarded.

    For the first time, today’s legislation puts in place similar requirements for those who resigned and were made redundant, recognising the unique pressures and circumstances faced by locally employed Afghans.

    This fair and simple system will offer dozens more courageous individuals who served alongside British troops the chance to build a new life in the UK.

  • John Healey – 2020 Comments on Service Police Investigations

    John Healey – 2020 Comments on Service Police Investigations

    The comments made by John Healey, the Shadow Defence Secretary, on 13 October 2020.

    It is hard to take the Defence Secretary seriously. Over the last five years, the Government has done four reviews with almost 100 recommendations on Armed Forces investigations and prosecutions.

    Faced with growing criticism of their Overseas Operations Bill, the Government has launched another review rather than rethinking the legislation.

    Ministers should instead work with Labour, and organisations including the British Legion and Liberty, to improve the Bill so it better protects British troops and our reputation for adhering to international law.

  • Ben Wallace – 2020 Comments on Duqm Port Investment

    Ben Wallace – 2020 Comments on Duqm Port Investment

    The comments made by Ben Wallace, the Secretary of State for Defence, on 12 September 2020.

    The long standing friendships between the UK and the Gulf states are more important than ever. With shared defence and security interests, it is vital we work together for both regional and global stability. Our trade links are just as strong, too – from cotton to aerospace.

    Whether tackling Daesh, or making our streets in the UK safer thanks to our intelligence networks, these are hugely valuable relationships that I am pleased to be able to renew this week.

  • Stephen Morgan – 2020 Comments on Armed Forces Recruitment

    Stephen Morgan – 2020 Comments on Armed Forces Recruitment

    The comments made by Stephen Morgan, the Shadow Armed Forces Minister, on 7 September 2020.

    The worrying increase of over seven thousand application withdrawals this year continues this Government’s decade of decline in failing to support our country’s Armed Forces and its recruits.

    Whilst the Minister claims to be looking to improve the Armed Forces ‘offer’, its failing recruitment contract is clearly not working.

  • Ben Wallace – 2020 Comments on VJ Day Plans

    Ben Wallace – 2020 Comments on VJ Day Plans

    Comments made by Ben Wallace, the Secretary of State for Defence, on 5 August 2020.

    VJ Day is sometimes seen as the forgotten victory, but this year, on its 75th anniversary, our celebrations are rightly focused on paying special tribute to the Greatest Generation and their service and sacrifice in the Far East. I will be thinking of the unique hardships faced by those who served, and thanking them for all they did for us.

    The partnerships forged during the Far East campaign continue to thrive today. It’s a unique honour for me as Defence Secretary to meet Second World War veterans in person at important commemorations such as these. As a former Army officer, I understand just how much today’s troops are inspired by those who came before them.

    I am proud we have put together such a full programme of events and look forward to paying tribute to our amazing Asia pacific war veterans.