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Hounslow Liberal Democrats |
Dakers signs Royal British Legion pledge and calls for annual recognition of the troops in Hounslow
March 23, 2010 12:00 AM
Andrew Dakers' British Legion Pledge Card
Cllr Andrew Dakers, Lib Dem Prospective MP for Brentford and Isleworth Constituency, has pledged to do his bit for the British Armed Forces and signed a pledge backing The Royal British Legion manifesto. The Legion 'Time to do your bit' website includes an election manifesto setting out priorities for the next Government to improve life for Service Personnel and their families, the bereaved, veterans and dependants. At the same time Dakers has called for last year's march through Hounslow by Royal Fusiliers when they were awarded Freedom of the Borough to become an annual event.
Kevin Shinkwin, the British Legion's Head of Public Affairs, said:
"We're really grateful to Andrew Dakers for pledging to do his bit. The entire Armed Forces family needs the support of politicians from all parties, and our manifesto outlines practical ways the next government can help. We hope all the parties will give it serious consideration and that all MPs and prospective candidates will pledge to do their bit."
Cllr Andrew Dakers, Lib Dem Prospective MP for Brentford and Isleworth Constituency, said:
"I was delighted to support the Royal British Legion. They have an important role to play in highlighting the needs of the whole Armed Forces family. I think that it is important that we give proper support to our service personnel and their dependants. It is reflected in the Liberal Democrats Fair Pay for our Troops commitment.
"This does not mean that the Lib Dems always agree with the way the Government deploys our troops, for example in Iraq. Hounslow Liberal Democrats last year also called for our troops to be withdrawn from Afghanistan. But whatever such political disagreements our armed forces know that we recognise their professionalism in taking direction from our democratically elected government and the huge sacrifices that they make.
"This is why I believe the recent successful celebration of the Royal Fusiliers with the award of Freedom of the Borough and the march through Hounslow town centre should be repeated annually. This event was a great achievement of our current Mayor Cllr Lynch. Residents have suggested to me that the march could take place in a different part of the borough each year, led by whichever regiment is currently posted at Hounslow barracks."
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. British Legion's Time To Do Your Bit campaign website www.timetodoyourbit.org.uk
2. Andrew's pledges to the British Legion:
• Improve and keep the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme under continual review
• Stop breaches of harmony guidelines (deployment rates) in order to reduce family separation and breakdown
• Provide bereaved Armed Forces families with independent legal advice during inquests
• Introduce an Independent Advisory Committee on Military Deaths
• Make NHS priority treatment work for veterans with injuries caused by Service in the Armed Forces
3. Liberal Democrats' and Nick Clegg's promise to the troops - see http://tinyurl.com/fairpayforourtroops
- Around 50,000 receive less in basic pay than the starting salary of a police constable. Around 13,000 of these earn less than £17,000. Given the range of skills and risks now expected to be borne by the modern soldier, this hidden scandal must be addressed.
- Lib Dem proposals would bring the basic pay of the lowest paid soldiers in line with new-entrant police constables.
- Pay increases would be tapered up through the lower ranks, from a fully-trained Private up to NCO ranks. Under Lib Dem proposals no fully trained service personnel would receive less basic annual pay than a new-entrant police constable.
4. Hounslow Liberal Democrats call for troops to withdraw from Afghanistan (Sept 09)
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