Exclusive:
Mike Tapp, a Labour MP who served in the military in the Intelligence Corps, with three operational tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, writes for The Mirror about Armed Forces Day
This Armed Forces Day, we honour the men and women who serve, those who have served, and the families support them. They are the backbone of this country.
I’ve served in our Armed Forces. I’ve seen first-hand the grit, sacrifice and unshakable pride our service men and women carry. They don’t ask for much – just that we, as a country, keep our promises to them.
Keir Starmer’s Labour Government came into office a year ago next week with a clear mission and commitment to renewing the covenant with our Armed Forces community. That means action, not just warm words.
We are bringing 36,000 military homes back into public hands and investing over £7billion throughout this Parliament to fix long-neglected accommodation, delivering homes fit for our heroes.
We’re also making it easier for veterans to access support. Our new VALOUR system ensures help with housing, employment and health is more accessible. No one should ever fall through the cracks after serving this country.
Our Armed Forces got their largest pay rise in over 20 years last year and another inflation busting pay rise this year. Because if you’re willing to risk your life for this country, you deserve a decent wage and a secure future.
But supporting our Armed Forces means more than just looking after them. It means making sure they have the resources they need to keep us safe.
This week, the Prime Minister made an historic commitment at the NATO Summit: to raise national security spending to 5% of GDP. This is about putting Britain back in control of its own defence, as we face an increasingly volatile world. It’s putting the British values we share into action.
This will be a whole-of-society strategy that strengthens security while also creating jobs, boosting wages and driving growth. It will give working people a direct stake in our country’s safety, and its future.
I’m proud to be a Labour MP and even prouder to serve in Parliament shoulder to shoulder with many other veterans like Calvin Bailey and Louise Jones and so many other brilliant colleagues. Their presence in the Commons strengthens the voices of those who have served and their families.
As we face new challenges, at home and abroad, it’s more important than ever that we recognise and value the work our Armed Forces do every single day. We must also continue to honour those who’ve served in generations past, from the beaches of Normandy to the deserts of Helmand.
Today, we thank all who serve, have served, and their families. We are safer because of them.