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, Labour leader
will announce today, as the
country prepares to commemorate 80 years since the D-Day landings
that turned the tide of the Second World War.
A new Armed Forces Commissioner will be established, as a strong
independent champion for service personnel and their families to
improve everyday life. This will be legislated for in the first
King's Speech.
New legislation will also put the Armed Forces Covenant fully
into law, strengthening the rights of veterans, service personnel
and their families.
“I have changed the Labour Party to put it back into the service
of working people – and the ultimate service is that given by our
veterans and armed forces personnel”, he will say, in the week
that Labour committed to the Nuclear Deterrent Triple Lock, a
Strategic Defence Review and spending 2.5% of GDP on defence as
soon as possible.
Labour's plan for veterans, armed forces personnel, and
their families:
The new policies that Labour is announcing today includes:
1. 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
2. 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.
Announcing the plan, speaking in the South of England
ahead of his attendance at D-Day commemorations, 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.”
, Shadow Defence Secretary
said:
“Like so many people across Britain, Labour has deep respect for
the serving men and women of our Armed Forces. Theirs is the
ultimate public service.”
“Labour's new laws will improve everyday life for those who serve
and the families who support them. They will begin to right the
wrongs for everyday Forces life with a new independent champion,
a legal guarantee of fair treatment and ensuring our veterans are
properly respected.”
“Labour will work with our Armed Forces Communities to renew the
nation's contract with those who serve and the families who
support them. Labour is totally committed to spending 2.5% of GDP
on Defence as soon as possible".
Labour's ex-military candidates
Labour has now selected 14 ex-military personnel who will stand
for the party as PPCs.
Al Carns (Labour candidate in Birmingham Selly Oak) was until
last week a Colonel in the Royal Marines. He has served in the
military for 24 years across the globe at some of the highest
levels in the military. He now wants to continue his service to
his country, the people, Labour and .
(Labour candidate in North
East Derbyshire) is an army veteran, who was previously an
intelligence officer for the army.
CBE (Labour candidate in
Leyton and Wanstead) was a commanding officer in the Royal Air
Force.
