22/11/2011

Labour Launches 'Friends Of The Forces' Scheme

Labour has launched a new scheme to campaign on behalf of the issues affecting the armed forces, the party has said on Tuesday.

The party said its 'Friends of the Forces' initiative demonstrated the value Labour placed on "defence and the military covenant".

The scheme will offer a network of advocates who will consult with military communities, information on services available to serving personnel and veterans, updates on the defence debate in Westminster and a chance to shape the work of the Shadow Defence Team.

Jim Murphy, Labour’s Shadow Defence Secretary, said: “Labour Friends of the Forces will aim to help the service community to come together and discuss their priorities, and we will make military communities a priority of our own. We will demonstrate how the Labour Party can serve those who have served our country.

“Policy-making should not be disconnected from but reflective of the communities we value. We want this organisation to be rooted in service communities, which is why we are developing a national network of advocates made up of veterans.

“No party has a monopoly on defence. From the campaigns we run to the candidates we field, Labour is showing that defence is a vital issue.

“We very much hope that everyone who cares about the issues that matter to the Armed Forces will join this organisation.”

Labour Friends of the Forces is free to join, although that party has released no details yet on how or what to join.

(DW)

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