Elsie Blundell, Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Heywood and Middleton, has praised the contribution of UK Armed Forces across the borough during a special flag raising event at Middleton Memorial Gardens.
To mark Armed Forces Day on Saturday 24th June, Elsie Blundell “thanked our Armed Forces for all they do to keep Britain safe” during the special dedication service.
After speaking with veterans and Armed Forces representatives in Middleton, Elsie said “Labour stands up for our Armed Forces. We are deeply proud of our Armed Forces personnel, veterans, and their families for the enormous contribution they make to our country.”
Elsie Blundell highlighted that from deployments abroad in response to the invasion of Ukraine, to deployments at home during the COVID 19 pandemic, our Armed Forces are essential to our national defence, our national resilience and our national NATO obligations.
Elsie Blundell also said that the last 13 Conservative years have corroded the nation’s moral contract with those who serve in our Armed Forces. Personnel living in damp and moldy housing, satisfaction with service life is falling well below 50 per cent, and retention rates are dropping. Defence plans must ensure our heroes have good homes to live in and fully incorporate the Armed Forces Covenant into law.
Armed Forces Day is held each year on the last Saturday of June to celebrate the service and sacrifice of our UK Armed Forces, veterans, and their families.
Elsie Blundell said:
“Labour stands up for our Armed Forces.
“We are deeply proud of our Armed Forces personnel, veterans, and their families for the enormous contribution they make to our country. On Armed Forces Day, we thank them for all they do to keep Britain safe.
“The next Labour Government will stand by our troops, veterans and their families. We will boost mental health support, ensure our heroes have good homes to live in and fully incorporate the Armed Forces Covenant into law.”