Campaign News

TEN MILLION veterans = TEN MILLION voters and Gordon Brown has just rejected calls to honour their willingness to put their lives on the line to defend this country with a National Defence Medal, a medal that The Queen (our Queen) has already approved for other Commonwealth nations?

If their willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice is not worth recognition why then was Frank Field MP awarded a medal by the Secretary of State for Defence: John Hutton and the Chief of Defence Staff; Air Marshall Sir Jock Stirrup for supporting a scheme whereby MP?s get to spend some time with the Armed Forces seeing what they do? That just about sums up this government and its warped honours system.

They couldn?t honour the last few survivors of the WW1, we had to rely on the French to do that with the Legion of Honour Medal. I smiled when I saw a picture of Gordon Brown pointing to medals worn by Harry Patch a survivor of the trenches and the horrors of Paschendale, at an official function in 10 Downing Street. They were the Commemorative National Service Medal and Hors De Combat, often called ?Bling? Medals that the government and MoD say aren?t allowed be worn because they are unofficial, and yet are the sort now often purchased by Veterans in the absence of proper recognition.

Instead the MoD came up with an 80p Veterans badge that they now ?admit? has no official status or recognition. No wonder that 93% of veterans haven?t bothered applying for one and a growing number of those that have, are sending them back.

Gordon Brown and this government have betrayed the Armed Forces who are now severely undermanned, grossly ill-equipped and there isn?t enough money to even maintain training of our reserve and TA units. They can try putting as much spin on it as they want but it won?t alter the reality.

We have a Prime Minister unfit for purpose, a government unfit for purpose and a Ministry of Defence full of Civil Servants, who haven?t a clue, and are unfit for purpose.

They betrayed the Ghurkhas, and it took a famous Actress and massive public opinion to embarrass them into action. They have betrayed Nuclear Test and Cold War Veterans, many who have died and others who continue to suffer ill-health because of deliberate exposure to radiation. They have betrayed our wounded by closing dedicated Military Hospitals and the injured were sometimes forced to be taken in for treatment by non-public entrances for fear of causing offence to a minority of people. They have betrayed the Military Covenant and betrayed this country!

So when politicians start calling on the TEN MILLION veterans during the next election campaign, I hope they won?t be too surprised when they are told they won?t be getting their vote.

Typical of this discredited government. They have never given a damn. It is pointless talking to thier MP's as I have found they just 'spout' whatever 'bully Brown 'says! Jones and Ainsworth haven't a clue. The only hope is that Brown will do his usual of say No then realise he got it wrong again and then do his regular 'u turn' scenario ! They probably think this will stop it which shows they don,t know anything about service men and women or veterans.

While we are all campaigning for a NDM I feel that it might be that the best way to go is to get a national newspaper on side; and without getting possible irate responses from some of you, may I suggest the Daily Mail ? That paper has had considerable success with nationwide press campaigns in the past, going back to support for Private Clegg, Parachute Regiment for doing his duty in Northern Ireland. More recently their support was given wholeheartedly to Joanna Lumley and her Gurkha campaign, which shamed the government into a climbdown. What do you think ? Should we all start a letter-writing campaign to the Daily Mail, in the hope that some of our letters will be published ? Think about it.

I am sure this can only cause great disapointment amongst all veterans especially when we received such a high from the Dame Vera Lynn story. But we shall never surrender the fight has just begun.

The report on the Nimrod crash and the loss of 14 lives is plain and simple, it highlights what we all know. This govt dont care about the armed forces and never have. 14 lives lost due to criminal neglect and some senior officers who seem more concerned with cuddling up with the MOD than doing their duty. The investigating QC makes it plain that budget cuts and the drive to save money had a direct effect on the proper servicing of the aircraft. I am aware of a gentleman who has spoken to the medals office about the "reconstruction of iraq" medal which he believes he is entitled to. A very helpful lady told him they were behind in sending this medal as it had cost them far more than they thought it would, some £60,000. Plans for a similar award for Afghanistan have been cancelled due to cost estimates....its all about money, no matter the smart excuses they come out with its all about money. browns latest wheeze is to virtually cancel all training for the TA thus confirming he and his govt and party have not the faintest idea how the armed forces work. we will get our NDM, it`ll be for all of us from the Berlin airlift to Afghanistan, from general to gunner to airman ect all of us...and we will get it because we are right and they are wrong.

We have, and will continue to try and get a National Newspaper to back the campaign. We have come very close on more than one ocassion. Rest assured we are not resting on our laurels, though belive me it can be more difficult than you might think.

Gordon Brown,A man without a clue about the brotherhood of servicemen & women,I hope that we will continue to put pressure on him and his "Lackey's,so guy's "once more unto the breech"

gibbo says...
we will get our NDM, it`ll be for all of us from the Berlin airlift to Afghanistan, from general to gunner to airman ect all of us...and we will get it because we are right and they are wrong.

Gibbo, I think you are 100% right. They think it too expensive and really don't give a toss about the military. But what is right remains right regardless. The Aussies made the case and won, The Kiwis have done the same. Sooner or later the UK can no longer hide from the truth.

I read the UK is to increase its contribution to the EU by 5 million a day, I can see a cost saving there straight away!

Gordon Brown is a disgrace and should hang his head in shame, according to this man my 13 years of service including tours in Germany when IRA attacks were frequent and operations supporting no fly zones in iraq, is worth an 80 pence " badge". Once again he and his cabinet have shown their complete lack of respect for the armed services of this country both past and present. No doubt we will soon see this man award honours to his political allies and " flunkies " in an upcoming list.

I am a little confused about one thing in the Express report, Jones said he was speaking on behalf of the prime minister and the Queen. Is Her Majesty against us too? I always thought we could count on the Queen as a veteran Glen

Like you suggest Martin67, It will not be long before the New Year Honours List is submitted by the government, which Her Majesty will have no control over. All the usual hangers-on and no-hopers will get their nice little bauble, that in the words of someone famous (don't recall who) said " they aint worth a hill of beans"

Glen says...
I am a little confused about one thing in the Express report, Jones said he was speaking on behalf of the prime minister and the Queen. Is Her Majesty against us too? I always thought we could count on the Queen as a veteran Glen

Glen, Mr Jones has ideas above his station, as a part of HM Gov he feels he has the right to say as he pleases. He has also said it is not politicians who decide these matters, but now he says it is. In which case why do we have an HD committee to advice The Queen. Quite simply they feel untochable and answer to nobody. Well election time is fast approaching.

Well said Tony, as I have said before I have no political leanings as I trust none, but the way things look only Clegg seems to have an interest inthe forces , Ghurkas and Veterans. Who knows after nearly a hundred years the Liberals may be the answer. I shall watch them with interest upto the next election. As Gibbo said there are enough Vets to send Brown and his minions a clear message. After all Brown was never elected P.M and his cabinet were nobodies prior to his arrival.

The Minister is an impudent upstart if he states that he represents the Monarchy.
He is being mendacious.
I can confirm that all letters sent to my Captain General, The Prince Philip and others to HM The Queen, have all been treated with both interest and sympathy.
Bluntly we suffer from arrogant, useless and inefficient Ministers at the MoD who have never served, yet alone, volunteered. Their ill conceived and respective vanities need puncturing. They are unfit for purpose and have frequently been exposed for being deceitful. That in my opinbion is a fair summation.

Well it is interesting to note that whilst the HD Committee refuses to consider a wide range of medal grievances, that could all be resolved by the institution of an NDM, the rules that apply to the rest of us, don't in fact apply to them. As an example the receiving of foreign decorations and awards, which to all other UK Citizens require the Sovereigns permission...

"Parliamentary Questions: 31 Mar 2008 : Column 527W

Mr. Touhig: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the rules governing the award of foreign honours, decorations and medals were last reviewed. [196240]

Meg Munn: The rules governing the award of foreign honours, decorations and medals have been reviewed and revised on a number of occasions over the last 150 years, and were last discussed early in 2007.

Mr. Touhig: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether any past or present members of the Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals has been awarded and accepted an honour, decoration or medal from a foreign, Commonwealth or UK dependency government. [196245]

Meg Munn: The Honours and Decorations Committee dates back to the 1930s. It would incur disproportionate cost to check all potential awards to members dating back to its inception.

However we are aware of examples, in recent years, of when Her Majesty The Queen's Private Secretaries, who customarily serve on the Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals, have received such decorations in their role as senior representative of Her Majesty The Queen in the context of close relations with or visits involving Her Majesty's Realms. As Her Majesty The Queen is Head of State in Realm countries, no permission is required to accept such awards."

Question for gordon brown, if you believe it is " NOT APPROPRIATE" to award a medal, maybe you could tell us if you think it was appropriate for members of your government to get caught with their hands in the till , when the military are lacking basic equipment and many members of the armed services , past and present are facing financial hardship.
LEAD THE COUNTRY, I WOULD NOT TRUST YOU TO LEAD A DOG AROUND THE PARK, BE A MAN AND DO THE RIGHT THING

Now that Gordon Brown has hosted a reception for the splendid volunteers who keep SSAFA going, can we anticipate that he is softening his approach to all things military ? Can we expect that he will , in the near future, have another look at the NDM petition ? Or is he only interested in the charitable organisations that offer much needed help to those in the wide military family, not costing the government one penny ? After all 4.5 million National Defence Medals at £12 .50 each might seem a lot of wonga .But only about the same as EU citizens are claiming in one year for Family Allowance for children who do not even live in the UK. How stupid is that ? The pressure on the PM must be kept up.

So Gordon wants to associate with the same SSAFA of which HM The Queen is Patron and His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent is President and the same SSAFA which Buckingham Palace approved to include Her Majesty's image, plus her personal armorial shield and motto on a commemorative medal struck to celebrate The Queen's Golden Jubillee which Gordon and his 'No not ever!' brigade refuses to acknowledge. Now that he is on the rack being condemned by opposition parties, Serving Soldiers, and virtually the whole country for his cost cutting, penny pinching, equipment denying, life endangering policies, he tries a little PR stunt..... Sorry Gordy, but every man, jack and his dog can see through you and what you and the former incumbant of No 10 has done to destroy our armed forces and the respect of veterans. It will be a pleasure to see you and your rag tag kicked out of office come election time.

Well said, Snowdrop, a real ' hitting the nail on the head ' message. What a shame we have to wait until next May to see the anticipated change at Westminster. Is it possible that the PM will grasp the nettle and have a re-think about an NDM in the hope of gaining the services, veterans, pensioners ,etc vote ? Or do I see flying pigs hovering above Downing Street ?