Writing for the Mirror on Armed Forces Day, Keir Starmer called on the whole country to rally round and “take a moment to say a heartfelt: thank you”
As you read this, our armed forces are out there, protecting our seas and our skies, guarding NATO’s eastern flank with Russia, working 24/7 to keep us safe.
All the freedom and comforts we enjoy at home are secured by them. For that, we owe them not just our thanks and respect, but also our support.
So that’s what this government is doing.
With our historic commitment to spend 5% of GDP on national security by 2035, we are backing our brave men and women in uniform like never before.
We’re putting the Armed Forces Covenant fully into law for the first time – putting support for our warriors and veterans on a legal footing, as we promised in our Manifesto.
And we’ve already acted.
We’ve given the Armed Forces the biggest pay rise in 20 years.
We’re improving housing for soldiers and their families.
And we’re giving better support for our veterans in need – because those who have given the most, such as the injured or bereaved, should always be the priority.
Our service men and women are the best there is – and they deserve the best from us.
That’s what we’re striving to give them – during and after their service.
Not just homes for heroes – but better weapons for our warriors, salaries for our soldiers, and careers for our Commandos.
That is our commitment – that the nation will serve our warriors as well as they serve the nation.
On Armed Forces Day, the whole country should get behind that effort – and take a moment to say a heartfelt: thank you.