Winchester MP Steve Brine is delighted that the government has announced that the Military Covenant is to be enshrined onto the statute books.
Defence Secretary Liam Fox announced the move, which was a pre-election pledge from David Cameron, to the House of Commons on Monday 16th May.
During his statement, Dr Fox said: "The Government have no higher duty than the defence of the realm, and the nation has no greater obligation than to look after those who have served it. The men and women of the three services, regulars and reservists, whether they are serving today or have done so in the past, their families and those who have lost a loved one in service, all deserve our support and respect. That obligation is encapsulated in the armed forces covenant.
"The ties between the nation, its Government, and its armed forces are not the product of rules and regulations, nor of political fashion. They are much deeper than that. They have endured for generations and they go to the heart of our national life. The armed forces covenant therefore does not need to be a long and detailed charter. It should be a simple and timeless statement of the moral obligation that we owe."
Steve said: "I know this is something that really resonates down here, particularly because we have so many service personnel, past and present, who live here and have made Winchester & Chandler's Ford their home.
"I've been plugged-in to this for a number of years, and I welcomed the now-Prime Minister's pledge to the Armed Forces before last year's General Election."
Steve campaigned heavily on the issue, working closely with councillors such as Stephen Godfrey and Barry Lipscomb, who shared his enthusiasm.
Steve continued: "I know that putting the Military Covenant into law is long overdue, and I was delighted when Liam Fox confirmed plans earlier today."
Pictured; Steve's first-ever PMQ highlighted the welcome that Winchester gave to returning troops from 11th Light Brigade last June
More information...
You can view the Worthy Down Post, from April 2008, where Steve backed the campaign at
http://www.stevebrine.com/downloads/worthy-down-post.pdf
Access Dr Fox's statement to the House here