04 March 2008

THE MILITARY COVENANT IS SAFER WITH LABOUR THAN THE TORIES

Stafford’s Labour MP David Kidney says that David Cameron's press conference today shows that only Labour actually has the determination to fulfil the military covenant in full.

The military covenant is the recognition that because our Armed Forces risk their all for their country, they are owed decent care, treatment and respect from their fellow citizens.
  
"Today David Cameron refused to back Labour's spending plans on Defence. He presents an unfair portrayal of Labour’s work to meet all the needs of our Services Personnel, their families and veterans, and then he declines even to say that a Tory government would match our spending. This may be good for peddling more cynicism about politicians, but it does no good for our military.
 
"The Government have already provided our troops with: a tax free operational bonus worth over £2,000; a council tax discount for those on operations; improved phone and internet access; and one of the best pay deals in the public sector. However we know there is more still to do - that is why we are building up community support services, help with mental health problems that develop later in life and even proposing a Parliamentary “Command Paper” to see how we can further improve the support that we offer our forces, their families and veterans.
 
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When asked today if a Tory government would match Labour’s Defence spending, David Cameron refused to make that pledge:
Question: "But until that review can take place would you stand by Labour's spending commitments for defence?"
David Cameron: "Well I think I've answered the question which is that in the spending plans they have which I've specifically said we do back the health spending increases, we haven't made that commitment in other areas."
Press Conference, 4 March 2008