Llanelli MP thanks UK Armed Forces personnel recruited from Carmarthenshire ahead of Armed Forces Day

To mark Armed Forces Day this today [24 June 2022], Dame Nia Griffith MP for Llanelli has paid tribute to the many UK Armed Forces personnel that hail from Llanelli and Carmarthenshire.

Dame Nia Griffith MP said that “I am deeply proud of the 5,900 of UK Armed Forces personnel recruited from Wales, especially those from Llanelli and across Carmarthenshire, for the enormous contribution they make to our country”.

She highlighted that from deployments abroad in response to the invasion of Ukraine to deployments at home during the COVID 19 pandemic, our Armed Forces are essential to our national defence, our national resilience and our national NATO obligations.

Of the 5,900 of military personnel recruited from across Wales, 3,460 were recruited into the British Army, 1,370 were recruited into the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, and 1,070 were recruited into the RAF since 2015.

Dame Nia stressed the Defence Secretary has by his own admission said that the Conservatives have ‘hollowed out’ the Armed Forces over the last 13 years. The Conservatives have cut the Army to its smallest size since Napoleon and that Ministers must reboot defence plans by halting army cuts and ensuring our NATO obligations are fulfilled.

She also said that the last 13 Conservative years have corroded the nation’s moral contract with those who service in our Armed Forces. Personnel living in damp and mouldy housing, satisfaction with service life falling well below 50 per cent, and retention rates dropping. Defence plans must ensure our heroes have good homes to live in and fully incorporate the Armed Forces Covenant into law.

Armed Forces Day is held each year on the last Saturday of June to celebrate the service and sacrifice of our UK Armed Forces, veterans, and their families.

Dame Nia Griffith, MP for Llanelli, said:

“I am deeply proud of the many UK Armed Forces personnel and veterans from Llanelli and pay tribute to them for the enormous contribution they continue to make.  Armed Forces Day is a perfect opportunity for us to express our heartfelt thanks to them and their families for all they do to keep Britain safe.

“The next UK Labour Government will stand by our Armed Forces personnel by ensuring our heroes have good homes to live in and we will fully incorporate the Armed Forces Covenant into law.”