Blackpool MPs chosen to head-up new Veterans Group
MPs Gordon Marsden and Joan Humble have been elected to top offices in a new All-Party Parliamentary Group which has been set up to advance and lobby for veterans’ interests in both Houses of Parliament.
At the inaugural meeting of the all-party group which includes both MPs and Peers, Mr Marsden was elected chair and Mrs Humble secretary. The new Veterans Group, which already has over 90 members who have joined from both Commons and Lords, drawn from all the main parties and crossbenches has among its aims “Emphasising the importance of veterans, young and old, in our communities and way of life”.
Backing for the new Group has also come from influential peers such as Lord Alf Morris, Parliamentary advisor to the British Legion, and Viscount Slim, President of the Burma Star Association which has held its national reunions annually in Blackpool.
Mr Marsden said “The launch of this Parliamentary Veterans Group reflects the widespread public view that the time has come to put the contribution and needs of our fighting forces, past and present, centre-stage – and the sacrifices they have made most recently in Iraq and Afghanistan.”
“Coming after the success of Blackpool in staging this year’s National Veterans Ceremonies, its great that Joan and I are able to help head up this new Veterans Group. It will work with all the existing groups and utilise the same alliance of service, voluntary sector and other organisations that worked so well for everyone in Blackpool and will interact with Veterans Minister Derek Twigg who of course joined us for the ceremonies in Blackpool.” Mr Marsden said after the inaugural meeting.
Mrs Humble added “We’re delighted to have had such strong support across the political spectrum in Parliament. This Group will provide a strong forum to promote veterans issues such as the military covenant, and strengthening family health and other support for service personnel returning from operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as those who have served in earlier conflicts,”
“With Government just announcing a doubling of compensation for those injured on active service and free tuition support for further and higher education qualifications for the first time ever, this new Parliamentary Group for Veterans could not be more timely.”
