The Sun urges PM contenders to sign our Veterans’ Pledge and end the ongoing injustices against our heroes
CHARITIES and MPs today join forces with The Sun to demand the next Prime Minister ends a host of ongoing injustices against military veterans.
Our alliance is calling on the two Tory leadership candidates to sign up to our Veterans' Pledge to end continuing shortfalls and prejudices that the nation’s heroes are still subjected to.
Despite years of Government promises, a growing army of ex-service personnel are still failing to get the care they need.
Medical treatment, access to housing and other services are dubbed a postcode lottery, differing wildly across the country.
With ever more cases coming in, charities such as Help For Heroes and Combat Stress – who back the call today – say they cannot keep up with their dwindling funding.
And thousands of ex-servicemen, especially those who served in Northern Ireland, still live in fear of “witch hunt” new investigations over incidents that have been long closed.
Under the three-part pledge, we want Boris Johnson or Jeremy Hunt when they enter No10 to agree to:
1. Create a separate veterans department for the first time to coordinate their needs across Whitehall, run by a minister who attends Cabinet,
2. Enshrine the Military Covenant into law to allow vets and bereaved families a way to hold the Government to account if they suffer disadvantage,
3. Pass new legislation to end unfair and repeated investigations into historical allegations before the next General Election.
The call for the two wannabe Prime Ministers to sign up to the pledge is also backed by ex-Army senior Tory MPs from each of the two men’s campaigns.
Writing in The Sun today, ex-Royal Artillery officer Johnny Mercer – a prominent Boris backer – brands it Britain’s “GI Bill moment”, named after the time when America finally decided to do good by its Vietnam War veterans.
Mr Mercer adds: “It would be political madness for Boris Johnson or Jeremy Hunt to fail to sign up.”
Hunt supporter Richard Benyon, a former Green Jackets officer, said: “The change of leadership is a very important opportunity for us to reboot what Government should be doing to protect our veterans.
“The Veterans' Pledge is the right way forward.”
THE SUN SAYS: HELP OUR HEROES
THE next leader of the United Kingdom MUST prioritise our veterans the moment they step through the door of No 10.
Those who serve our country should never be forgotten. But too often, especially as the memory of wars in Afghanistan and Iraq fades, they have been shunted down the policy pecking order.
Previous Governments have, to their credit, taken steps in the right direction.
But their activities have often been piecemeal or lacking in an overall direction.
Giving the money from interest rate-rigging fines to Armed Forces charities is a good example.
A promise of nearly £1bn, but a promise that hasn’t been delivered as fully as it should have been, with Ministers even dipping into the pot to cover shortfalls in their own budgets.
We need a sea change — and that’s why we’ve partnered with Help for Heroes and Combat Stress to demand a Cabinet Minister takes the reins on this vital issue under a Johnson or Hunt Government.
And that Minister mustn’t just be there to turn up for photo ops at far-flung bases.
They must drive through a firmer commitment to the Military Covenant and, vitally, work with the Attorney General to end the persecution of veterans from former conflicts.
Everybody who has served has put their life on the line for us — and their families have sacrificed plenty, too.
Time to deliver.
Help for Heroes CEO Melanie Waters said: “We have supported over 22,000 wounded military personnel and their families so far and the need is growing, which is why we are calling on the leadership candidates to sign up to the Veterans’ Pledge.
“Many wounded veterans feel let down by the system and we know more needs to be done by the Government to ensure our heroes get the fair deal they deserve.”
Eighteen years of almost constant war fighting since the 9/11 terror attacks in areas such as Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria have taken a huge toll on troops.
Last year alone, there were 2,400 medical discharges from the UK’s Armed Forces, 588 of them for mental health conditions.
We have supported over 22,000 wounded military personnel and their families so far and the need is growing, which is why we are calling on the leadership candidates to sign up to the veterans’ pledge.
Melanie Waters, CEO of Help for Heroes
It emerged yesterday that almost 60 vets a day are now seeking help for mental health issues.
A recent King’s College London study revealed 83,000 former servicemen and women are still suffering from their physical or mental injuries from the modern wars of the past 25 years.
The pledge’s unveiling comes as outgoing PM Theresa May today makes the final speech of her Premiership to the forces to thank them.
On a visit to Permanent Joint headquarters, Mrs May will say: “There is no greater responsibility as Prime Minister than ensuring the safety and security of our people.
“And doing so is not something any Prime Minister can achieve without you.
“You are not just a part of British life – you are the guarantors of British life. The foundation of our freedom. The protectors of our democracy. And for that, we owe you a debt of gratitude.”
'This is our GI Bill moment'
By Johnny Mercer, MP
AT a Help for Heroes dinner last week the conversation turned to veterans in 2019, and how raising money was becoming a serious concern.
I have no ties to any particular charity, no agenda in this field — except a point-blank refusal to accept poor care of veterans and their families.
Make no mistake — Help for Heroes, the Legion, The Soldiers Charity, SSAFA and more deliver world-class services.
But there is no doubt they need help. The pathways are still too unclear.
Not all charities spend their money in the most effective way.
Access to service records remains a nightmare.
The Veteran’s transition from military service to a civilian GP is still entirely postcode-driven.
The Military Covenant is not applied equally. If a local authority does not believe in it, then it does not apply.
Similarly, hundreds dragged through the historical allegations process have no clear support.
The new PM must seize the nettle and create a small, dedicated unit in the Cabinet Office.
This is our GI Bill moment, a chance to emulate the US treatment of its veterans.
Our Government has not led in this sector for too long. In this change of administration, I want a change of attitude. Enough of the warm words and intentions.
The Sun and our major care-givers today demand a tangible commitment to do by our veterans our duty we should have done some years ago.
It would be political madness for Boris Johnson or Jeremy Hunt to fail to sign up.
- GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL [email protected]