Campaign News

British Veterans National Defence Medal (NDM) Campaign

Below is just a snapshot of recent political comment:

 

We are looking for MPs to pro-actively support our campaign by forcefully raising this issue particularly with the HD Committee, MOD and their own Defence teams.

 

Mike Penning MP (Con)

“I take great pleasure in personally supporting the NDM and you are quite right that many of the Ministers who serve in the MOD have no concept of what it is to serve our country in uniform”.

 

Nick Harvey MP (Libdem)

"I would like to congratulate you at the Campaign for a UK NDM on a fantastic campaign"

 

Brian Binley MP (Con)

"Those who had served in the forces since World War Two should be given a National Defence Medal, similar to an award given out in France. The medal would particularly recognise the efforts of those who served in the Cold War period."

 

Andrew Rosindell MP (Con)

“I am a fervent supporter of our Armed Forces and their families.  The Military Covenant states that Soldiers, by putting the needs of the army and the Nation before their own, forego some of the rights they would otherwise expect to receive.  In return they expect fair treatment and sustenance, provided for accordingly by the Nation.  I believe that to award a medal to those who put their lives at risk, would be a message of support from the public to the work of our military.

It is shameful that this practice already exists in Australia, a nation which whom we share such close ties, yet our Government has not saw fit to follow their example.  I have already discussed this matter with a number of my colleagues and my support towards the Armed Forces is known by a great number of people.  I will certainly seek to lobby the Government on this issue.”

 

Mark Todd MP

"...now that this is a profession for a small minority of our citizens, the distance between our general population and our armed services has increased. A symbol of a nation's support for our armed services might be helpful in demonstrating to personnel that they are valued. On that basis I think there is an argument for an award of this kind"

 

 

Philip Davies MP (Con)

I wish to support the introduction of a National Defence Medal.

 

Linda Gilroy MP (Lab)

"The arguments you make are particularly powerful, especially given that many other Commonwealth Countries already have a similar medal.  Perhaps the time has come for the entire system of deciding on awards and medals to be reformed so it is open and transparent and allows for greater engagement with organisations such as yours."

 

Geoffrey Cox, QC, MP (Con)      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..

Michael Howard, QC, MP (Con)

"It is right and proper that the award of such a medal be considered as part of the review of medal issues that we will conduct if we form the next government."


Lord Strathclyde (Con)

"Thank you so much for your letter regarding a National Defence Medal. It is a well thought out idea, and seems to recommend itself to serious consideration"

 

Lorely Burt MP (Libdem)

"I wholeheartedly support the proposals which you have outlined and think that it only right and proper that our veteran's hard work and sacrifice should be honoured, I have written to the MOD to ask that the Minister outlines his response to this matter"

 

Charles Hendry MP (Con)

"I do appreciate your concerns about the lack of clear guidance. We have stated that a future Conservative Government would review the rules set out by the Committee on the Grant of Honours Decorations and Medals (known generally as the HD Committee) governing the awarding of medals. During this review all medal issues will be considered and rules will be drafted to ensure that all medal decisions are thought through and applied consistently."

 

Liam Fox MP (Con)

“The Conservative Shadow Defence team is undertaking a review of the whole medal situation in view of the various appeals and discussions that are going on at present.”

 

Don Touhig MP (Lab)

“I am 100% supportive and sympathetic”

 

Des Browne MP (Lab)

"The British Government is under no Obligation" 

“There are no plans to introduce a new NDM"

 

Mike Hancock CBE MP (Libdem)

“A very useful contribution to the debate which is currently going on about proper recognition for our armed services.”

 

Nigel Farage MEP (UKIP)

“I think an NDM is a splendid idea and have no hesitation in endorsing it on behalf of the UK Independence Party, with whose aims it is perfectly in tune”

“One suspects that the MOD's policy persists out of a combination of petty mean-ness and lack of patriotism”

 

Dr Richard Taylor MP (independent) 

"I quite understand and support the wishes for a National Defence Medal as it does seem to me that the award of medals for various campaigns is inequitable as it leaves a lot of servicemen unrewarded for equally arduous campaigns.  I will support any moves that promote the National Defence Medal campaign."

 

Kevan Jones MP (Lab)

“There is nothing to indicate that a universal medal would satisfy all the various veterans groups who are seeking medals for their particular periods of service.  Indeed if the experiences of the Australian Government are taken into consideration, each time a medal has been introduced retrospectively to recognise past military campaign service it has prompted other groups to renew their efforts for additional medals.”

"There is nothing further to be gained by continuing this correspondence"

 

Quentin Davies MP (Lab)

"Medals are a matter for the services themselves and I do not believe that politicians should interfere in this field." (NDM - but politicians love creating badges, 7 at the last count!)

 

Adrian Sanders MP (Libdem)

"Concerning the National Defence Medal. I am in favour of the campaign to establish a National Defence Medal for those who served in the Cold War and will write to the relevant Minister expressing his support for this cause."

 

Lady Sylvia Hermon MP (Ulster Unionist) 

“This campaign has my wholehearted support, with this in mind I'd like to take every opportunity afforded to me to raise this campaign here at Westminster”

 

Vince Cable MP (Libdem)

"I fully endorse the calls for proper recognition." 

 

Henry Bellingham (Con)

“You have my ongoing support not just on this issue but many others as well”

 

Glyn Ford MEP (Lab)

“Interesting website. I would have no hesitation in supporting this. Please let us know if there is anything we can do”

  

Julian Brazier MP (Con)

"I can understand your passion for this idea and think it is an interesting one"  "I am grateful for your detailed proposals and sympathetic to your view"

 

Dr Andrew Murrison MP (Con)

"You know our position on this – review of the HD committee and retrospective review of claims – your medal (NDM) would be one of them. Personally, a 5 year qualifying period seems a little short to me but its for others to judge."

 

Robert Key MP (Con)

“This is very interesting. Please let me know what the Minister (Mr Twigg) has to say”

 

James Arbuthnot MP (Con)

"I am strongly behind you"

 

Eddie O'Hara MP (Lab)

"I've no objection to a Veteran's Medal"

 

David Davies MP (Con)

“You have convinced me. You certainly deserve something. All full time servicemen and women should receive recognition…”

 

Roger Knapman MEP (UKIP)

"A medal should be issued along the lines you suggest" 

 

John McDonnell MP (Lab)

"I will do all I can to ensure that those who served our country in this way are properly recognised"

 

Victoria Helyar-Cardwell for Nick Clegg MP (Libdem)

"Nick will continue to pressure the Government on the issues surrounding the National Defence Medal"

 

David Heathcoat-Amory MP (Con)

“This has considerable merit"  "I will endeavour to participate in the debate for Recognition of our Armed Forces, including the suggested National Defence Medal"

 

Patrick Mercer OBE MP (Con)

"I will certainly do what I can to investigate the Cyprus campaign medal issue and continue to press for proper recognition for the efforts of all our brace men and women in whatever theatre."

 

Phil Hope MP (Lab) 

"I have written on your behalf to the appropriate minister"

 

Yvette Cooper MP (Lab)

“I have written to the MOD, and I am pursuing the points you’ve raised”

 

Trevor Colman MEP (UKIP)

"I totally support this initiative”

 

Councillor Michael White (Leader London Borough of Havering Council)

"I very much support your campaign and wish you every success in securing this award for our Armed Forces

 

Roger Berry MP (Lab) 

"I will write to the appropriate minister"

 

Angela E Smith MP (Lab)

"The current policy is not to give an award for service in the armed forces.  If there is a possibility of changing this in the near future, I will come back to you"

 

CLLR Paul Sample SDC Leader (LibDem)

“Your campaign has my strong personal support and I wish you success in gaining the recognition for servicemen that they truly deserve.”

 

Damian Hinds Parliamentary Candidate (Con)

I am very grateful to you for getting in touch about the National Defence Medal.  I found both the article and the web site most interesting.  I have a great deal of sympathy with your view: the ‘forgotten many’ should be remembered and recognised; if elected to the House of Commons I shall be happy to take up the matter with the Secretary of State.

 

Other recent encouragement came from the office of MPs William Hague, David Laws, David Cameron, Boris Johnson, Anne Milton, Caroline Spelman, George Young, Charles Walker.