Connarty Welcomes Government Rethink On Military Covenant.

Michael Connarty welcomes the governments rethink on military covenant.

MICHAEL CONNARTY ‘DID HIS BIT’, WELCOMES RETHINK ON MILITARY COVENANT, BUT WAITS TO SEE GOVERNMENT AMENDMENTS

Linlithgow and East Falkirk MP, Michael Connarty who, as a signatory to the amendments on the military covenant, backed the Royal British Legion’s campaign for proper treatment for our service men and women by enshrining a full scale military covenant in law, has welcomed the government climb down in the Commons today when the MoD promised amendments to the Armed Forces Bill.

The Royal British Legion asked MPs ‘to do their bit’ and Michael responded by signing amendments to the Armed Forces Bill on the military covenant, which were due to be debated in the Commons last week until the government postponed debate in the face of possible defeat.

“The Bill as it stands only requires the MoD to produce its own annual self assessment report,” said Michael, “and falls short of what the Prime Minister previously said the government would do. The British Legion was right to launch its ‘Time to do your bit’ campaign and I was pleased to support it in line with the pledge I signed when I stood for election (see attached photo).

“I’m glad that the government has now promised a rethink and I welcome today’s commitment to writing the principles of the military covenant into the Bill. Like the British Legion, I will wait for the actual wording of the government’s amendments, before I decide whether to press the amendments I have signed. They would give the full support our service men and women deserve for their bravery and willingness to risk their lives to protect all of us.”