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Early Day Motion - 327

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:09:00 -0500

EDM 327 was first put down on 2nd December 2009

That this House notes the significant personal sacrifice armed forces personnel make in their service to the nation once they take the oath or of allegiance to Her Majesty the Queen; acknowledges our ex-service personnel are proud to receive and wear Her Majesty’s Veterans Badge, but notes that it is not awarded posthumously and it is considered by many to be insufficient recognition for the contribution veterans have made to the safety of the Nation since the ending of the Second World War; and therefore calls on Her Majesty’s Government to rescind their recent decision not to more appropriately recognise our veterans by the award of a National Defence Medal and instead to establish a working group to work with the Committee on the Grant of Honours Decorations and Medals, with a view to implementing a National Defence Medal as soon as possible.

NOW IS TIME TO START LOBBYING IN EARNEST

Check progress: http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMList.aspx

Bob has the right attitude

Sun, 29 Nov 2009 14:18:00 -0500

One of our supportter recently recived a reply from his Labour MP. It is refreshing to see a really positive attitude, so we have included some quotes below:

"Thank you for writing to me with regard to the forthcoming Early Day Motion which calls for the introduction of a National Defence Medal. As the son of someone who risked his life at D-Day for the freedoms we enjoy today, and as a father whose son joined the army. I care very deeply about the treatment of our veterans and their families. The sacrifice our brave men and women offer our country is never far from my mind, and I am committed to securing the best for them.

I strongly believe we should do as much as possible to honour veterans for their outstanding service to our country. A few years back. I spear headed a campaign to get the Ministry of Defence to reconsider issuing campaign medals to the veterans of the Suez conflict. I obtained an Adjournment Debate in the House of Commons during which I said that the Suez vets should be recognised. and led a delegation to meet with Sir Richard Wilson. the then Cabinet Secretary who, as a result of the Adjournment Debate was asked by the Prime Minister to thoroughly investigate the matter. As a result of the delegation’s compelling arguments the Prime Minister appointed a special committee chaired by General Lord Guthrie to which I gave evidence, and which granted the exceptional award of a service medal for the Suez Canal Zone. I have also welcomed the Labour Government’s introduction of Veteran’s Badges and an Armed Forces Day. initiatives that ensure more recognition is given to our servicemen.

I strongly support the aims of the National Defence Medal campaign."

Bob Blizzard MP (Labour)

Your say on the MoD

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 02:56:00 -0500

The MOD has begun a process which will lead to a Strategic Defence Review early in the next Parliament.

As part of this process questions are being asked via a public poll conducted by a leading market research company. We would like to ensure that the largest number of people possible get an opportunity to contribute their thoughts and they really get a feel for your opinions.

It is a good opportunity to give your verdict on MoD performance, and it only takes a couple of minutes:

Click here

By Ed Davey MP

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:36:00 -0500

With the large number of casualties in Afghanistan in the last twelve month, this year’s Remembrance Sunday will be especially poignant and painful for many families and communities.

Yet as we remember and salute the sacrifice of so many over all too many wars, it is slightly shocking that this Autumn the Ministry of Defence rejected the proposal for a National Defence Medal to recognise the efforts of everyone who has served in our armed forces.

The British Veterans’ National Defence Medal (NDM) Campaign has a simple objective: to give full official recognition to our sailors, marines, soldiers and airmen who have served the nation since the Second World War.

So whether they served during the Korean War, or in Cyprus, or the Cold War – when hundreds of men and women died on duty – or in the troubles in Northern Ireland, the veterans leading this campaign want to ensure that all our ex-servicemen and women are honoured.

Before backing this campaign, I asked the obvious question: “Won’t this devalue the honours system more widely?” The answer “no” was compelling – not least as it came by way of example after example of men and women who had risked their lives for us whilst in the armed forces yet had received little or no recognition, beyond a lapel badge.

In a recent report* examining all the arguments for and against such a new medal, the situation in other countries is compared. Australia, New Zealand and the USA all have the type of medal our British veterans seek.

Is it so very much to ask, for the British Government to the same for our “Forgotten Heroes”? http://www.edwarddavey.co.uk/web/?q=node/171

Lobbying is paying off - Keep it going

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 12:07:00 -0500

I realise how important a medal can be to both serving soldiers and veterans alike. Our servicemen and women deserve recognition for their service; there is an understanding in our society that when we send people out to fight and potentially die in our name, our part of the bargain is to make sure that they are thanked and their families are properly looked after.

I must say that I am very sympathetic to the idea of introducing a National Defence Medal. The current Armed Forces Veterans badge, while admirable, is not suitable for official wear on parade.

There is considerable precedent for such a medal abroad, and both France and – as you point out - Australia award a service medal to veterans. The Australian Defence Medal seems to be a particularly suitable model on which to base a British equivalent.

Geoffrey Cox, QC, MP

Aussies Honour Last British WW1 Veteran

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 04:33:00 -0500

THE last living British serviceman to see WW1 conflict has been awarded an Australian Defence Medal. Claude Choules, 108, joined the Navy at 15 and served on a battleship. He later moved to Australia .

Quiz Sir Jock

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:24:00 -0500

Andrew Marr is to interview Sir Jock Stirrup on Sunday morning 8 Nov. The BBC are requesting questions from viewers for Sir Jock here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8345429.stm

A chance to ask about the broken Military Covenant and a role the NDM could play in help fixing it?

3 UK soldiers 'shot' in Falklands

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:02:00 -0500

Three members of the UK armed forces have been hospitalised following an incident in the Falkland Islands, the Ministry of Defence has said.

The incident took place on 27 October and the three, reportedly soldiers, were immediately airlifted to King Edward Hospital in Stanley.

One of the casualties - reportedly from the Royal Regiment of Scotland - is being medically evacuated to the UK, he is said to be in a serious condition.

The Daily Telegraph said they were shot during a live firing training session.

The three are reported to have been hit by automatic fire during a platoon live firing training practice session on the Onion Range, land which is used for training by the Army and located on a remote part of East Falkland island.

Companies are regularly posted to the islands for protection duties and training.

The MoD has also said that the soldiers' next of kin have been informed and an investigation is ongoing.

It reminds us all of the daily risks of service life. The Falklands is still classed as an operational tour. More

BFBS Cover NDM Press Conference

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:42:00 -0400

A team from the British Forces Broadcasting Service captured moments from the recent London press conference. Several MPs, MEP and a Lord were amongst the guests.

http://www.bfbs-tv.com/pages/extranet/new-defence-medal---dur-310-i-2654.php

Daily Express - Gordon Brown Pours Scorn on Medal

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 08:36:00 -0400

GORDON Brown’s Government was yesterday accused of treating millions of British Armed Forces veterans with contempt after refusing to agree to a medal to honour their willingness to put their lives on the line for their country.

Read Full Story: http://dailyexpress.co.uk/posts/view/136441#