Campaign News

Hi All,

thought that you may be interested to read a speech from Heather Roy, who is one of the current crop of New Zealand MP's. She joined the Territorials whilst a serving MP (and has five kids) and I thought that some of her comments on citizenship in the attached speech were worth a read.

Heres a couple of extracts:

"To serve your country is an honourable and unique undertaking. It does not matter whether your entry into the profession of arms is by the passing of a law, a ballot or a personal career choice. Neither does it matter whether your service is full-time, part-time; of long or short duration nor which service or unit you are employed in. What matters is that you served."

and:

"It is pleasing to note the current work underway to examine medallic recognition for your service. In my view, this is long overdue. As I mentioned earlier, it is not the nature of service but the fact that it occurred that is the defining aspect. The ability of this country to contribute to the general deterrent effect of western forces against external aggression by the establishment of large standing forces in the 1950s and 60s was as strategically important for the country then as is our ability to commit highly trained smaller elements to United Nations' operations now. That is why I support the award of a National Service Medal that recognises all who entered military service and that does not differentiate on the basis of criteria which are, in many cases only relevant to a certain era. For New Zealand to enjoy one standard of citizenship, it is vital that we establish one price of citizenship. Giving up your personal freedom for the sake of others is that price and it is one that you have all paid. I believe it fair that a grateful nation should recognise this and equitable that it should be via one medal. In doing so, New Zealand would be striking not just a medal but, in fact, a very good deal in reconciling the nation's use of your liberty and choice."

and the link to the full speech: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/speech/what+price+citizenship

Keep up the fight chaps. Don't let the buggers wear you down. All the best. Glenn

Nice to see you have modern 21st century MP's in NZ. you haven't got a few to spare for here have you ?

...like most of us have been saying its not rocket science is it?...so refreshing to read such words from an MP, and a politician who has service under her belt and so knows what she`s talking about...now the bad news, she`s not ours!!!...do we have any MP`s with half the guts of our servicemen and women to stand up and fight to drag our clockwork honours system into the 21st century and finally recognise the service of veterans?...(think we might have a very l-o-n-g wait?) 

Any chance the UK can opt of the imperial system and just leave the civil servants looking after themselves which is what the imperial system seems to be set up for..

...i reckon the MOD should relocate to Bagdad...