Since the late 1980’s the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme has given members of Parliament a chance to experience the work of army, navy and RAF personnel up close.
The purpose is to give MPs (the majority of us have no experience of serving in our Armed Forces) an insight into military life that would not otherwise be available.
It is hoped we will as a result be able to make informed and up-to-date contributions to defence debates in Parliament and I am pleased to say I am a new recruit for the class of 2021/22.
Eleven years ago I made my maiden speech in a defence debate and I have worked hard in the years since to maintain a good understanding of the MoD’s ongoing presence in Winchester; from Worthy Down to the ATR at Flowerdown and our significant military history plus regimental headquarters at Peninsula Barracks.
I am part of the AFPS single service programme within the army and am looking forward to learning from the visits we undertake to better inform my work as our MP in Parliament.
You can learn more about the scheme at https://www.afpt-uk.org/
