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Nick Harvey and the Liberal Democrat defence team have launched a new web site. We feel, with Welsh men and women contributing proportionately more than England to the UK defence effort, that this is of particular relevance to Welsh Liberal Democrats.
Nick Harvey writes:
With increasing demands made of our Armed Forces and with continuing operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, our Manifesto pledge has never been more pertinent: we should look after our Armed Forces so they can look after us.
Since this pledge we have repeatedly championed the concerns of the Armed Forces and remain distinct on defence. We opposed the unnecessary and costly war in Iraq, we have campaigned across the country for adequate recognition for personnel and for the rights for Gurkhas and we are the only party to have put forward our priorities for Forces welfare. I want us to continue in this vein and ensure defence remains at the top of the agenda.
It is for this reason that the Defence Team has launched this new website. We believe there should be a forum for us to discuss and debate how our liberal values should shape the defence agenda in light of the changing strategic landscape and international concerns, and highlight the work we, as a party, are doing on the whole gamut of defence issues; including disarmament, procurement, and welfare. It will also offer you the chance to keep up to date with the work of the Team in both Houses.
Please feel free to have a look and leave comments on the site.
2 comments:
Last Wednesday, Liberal Democrat Leader, Nick Clegg received medals handed to him from Gurkhas who served in the British Army before 1997 and are being denied a full pension and the right to British Citizenship.
Speaking at a protest outside Parliament, Nick Clegg said:
"When I told people what you get from the Government in return for the years of brave, loyal, uncomplaining success people simply don't believe it.
"It is quite simply a national disgrace. I am simply saying you should be treated with the respect and honour you deserve as brave soldiers
"I will do everything I can to end this unacceptable and immoral
discrimination."
Nick Clegg later tackled Gordon Brown over the issue at Prime Minister's Questions. He said:
"Two hours ago a retired Gurkha soldier handed over this medal to me in protest at the Government's refusal to grant him British citizenship.
"Do you know what it means for a loyal British soldier to give up a medal that he won for his long years of service to this country?
"And can you explain to the Gurkhas why on earth you believe that Gurkhas who served in the Army after 1997 are worthy of British citizenship but those who served before that date should be deported?"
Commenting on reports that at least two senior army officers have threatened to resign over the state of the defence budget and are now pushing the Government to review around £1billion of cuts, Liberal Democrat Shadow Defence Secretary, Nick Harvey said:
“It is hardly surprising that senior military figures are considering their positions. It is indicative of the immense pressures on the defence budget, the lack of clear strategic direction for procurement projects and the debilitating impact of fighting on two fronts.
“The armed forces must not be subject to short-sighted and arbitrary cuts. A Strategic Defence Review is urgently needed to properly assess our future capabilities and ensure we make effective and efficient use of the budget.”
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