LibDem hopeful pledges to "do his bit" for the armed forces

11.19.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 24th Sep 2009

Stuart Bonar supports a better deal for Britain's armed forces

Liberal Democrat parliamentary hopeful Stuart Bonar is backing a Royal British Legion campaign to improve the lot of the armed forces.

Stuart met with representatives from the Royal British Legion at the recent Liberal Democrat conference in Bournemouth. At the meeting, he was presented with a copy of the Legion's manifesto for the next general election.

The manifesto sets out priorities for the next Government to improve conditions for the British armed forces past and present, and their families. It encourages MPs and prospective parliamentary candidates (PPCs) to "do their bit" for service personnel and their families, the bereaved, veterans and dependants. Stuart, the PPC for the new seat of Plymouth Moor View, signed up in support.

Commenting, Kevin Shinkwin, the Legion's Head of Public Affairs, said, "We're really grateful to Stuart Bonar for making the time to meet with us and listen to our concerns. Our message to every candidate standing at the general election is very simple: 'It's time to do your bit'.

"The entire armed forces family needs the support of politicians from all parties," he added. "Our manifesto outlines practical ways the next government can help, and we hope all the parties will give it serious consideration".

Stuart Bonar launched a campaign last month for a better deal for the armed forces, inviting people to sign up. Amongst those who have already signed up to the campaign is a serviceman who wrote, "I am a serving soldier and I agree strongly that we should be paid the same as our other forces. I realise that we are paid 24/7 but under £3 an hour is not the standard minimum wage. I am glad that someone like you is having such interest in our soldiers' pay as what we say has no effect, and with no union we are powerless."

The mother of a soldier sent out to Afghanistan this month wrote, "I hope this campaign can make a difference. My son is being deployed to Afghanistan. As you can imagine, I am extremely worried."

Stuart Bonar commented, "Coming not only from a military city but also a military family, I am very pleased to back the Royal British Legion. And I am also extremely pleased that the LibDem conference backed new policies to honour our armed forces and give them a better deal. The men and women in our armed forces are the best of their generation, and they deserve our support."