NORTHERN IRELAND VETERANS LEGACY ACT PHASE 2 - LETTER

GUIDE

 

Background.

The petition and resulting debate on 14th July are just the start. The debate solved nothing, but it did have several positives. We know who is on our side and we know who most definitely is not, including the token Labour veterans MPs, put up by the government especially the lady who called veterans naive. 

We also, a result of the illogical position adopted by the Secretary of State for NI has adopted, believe that he is hiding some dodgy, undisclosed deal with people we can all figure out. We now need to drive on to Phase 2.

This government now realises the depth of the trouble it is in, as well as realising that ignoring a large swathe of the white working class in favour of almost everyone else, may not be smart politics. This is the bruise that we must keep punching – hard. 

Intent.

To exert pressure on the government, through MPs and the now demoted from Cabinet Veterans Minister, plus a cross-party selection of members from the Upper House, to see the merits of our case, the flaws in their reasoning, and encourage them to take the right action.

Action.

Please send a letter/email to both the Veterans Minister (Al Carns):

al.carns.mp@parliament.uk

and also, your own MP. You can find their address by googling their name as xxxx MP. You may want to contact Dan Jarvis the Security Minister who served for a good few years in the Parachute Regiment:

dan.jarvis.mp@parliament.uk

Draft Options.

Please feel free to adapt any of these so they do not all look the same! Also use the bits you need rather than all of it – let’s make variety the spice of their life!

Introduction

Maybe explain your interest briefly.

I would like to know where we now stand following the 14th July debate. Could you please enlighten me.

The act was put in place to draw a line and protect veterans.

The only people to benefit from repeal are those who caused all the trouble.

What are the next steps?

Where do you stand?

Words are cheap. We want action.

[For Carns - You have beaten Everest while in post, now please beat this injustice].

Main.

If former RUC officers believe that effective prosecution of terrorists is not possible, how are you going to deliver the results for families that you claim to want?

Who really believes that prosecution of terrorists is possible and what do they know that experienced police officers, whose families are among many of those suffering, seem to be unaware of?

The Secretary of State keeps hiding behind a law being unlawful – this does not make sense.

Parliament is sovereign and it makes the law. Lawyers do not. How did a judge manage to find this act unlawful? Had the government’s law officers not approved it before it was passed?

Was that judgement really in context and truly impartial? Is all this legal action delivering fairness or justice?

Looking to the future, where do you stand on the Overseas operations Act?

What are you doing to give credibility to claims that this government will always look after its service personnel when you are taking deliberate action to do the opposite?

This action is a betrayal of veterans and their families. 90% are working class yet this government seems not to be interested in them. You could believe that they are more interested in anyone else. 

Do you think Reform would look after veterans better?

Has some deal been made with Sinn Fein that we are not being told about?

Isn’t Dennis Hutchings enough?

How can you square Tony Blair/Jonathan Powell and comfort letters for terrorist murderers with what is being proposed by Hilary Benn? Would those have passed the criteria that the judgement rested upon?

[For Carns: In March you said you had spoken to the Northern Ireland Office to make sure that veterans’ welfare and legal services are provided. Please explain exactly what this means as it looks like a form of damage limitation for when you repeal the act.

Conclusion.

We feel let down by a government that said it would always act in our interests. The actions speak for themselves.

What are you doing about this?

How can you expect to retain our confidence?

Good luck to us all! Please pass on as you see fit. 10 each would be a good target.

Simon Barry

Lieutenant Colonel (Retd)

VJ Commemorative Event - 15th August

Folk, Those of you who didn't manage along to our Branch meeting 6th July note we have been invited by the City Council to attend a VJ commemorative event in Glasgow Cathedral on Friday 15th August commencing 11am, with a reception afterwards.

If you would like to attend please let me know asap.

Also note: The following day is our VJ parade in knightswood, commencing 10:30am - hope to see you there too.

TIMINGS AND PROGRAMME – ARMED FORCES DAY Saturday 28th June

10am – Organisations hosting stands given access to allow setup

11.15am – Standing Parade contingent muster Thistle Street entrance car park

11.45am – Parade Marshall to bring contingent to position

12.00pm – VIPs to be piped to dias

12.02pm – Neilston Pipe Band to parade through standing contingent and end at either side of dias

12.07pm – Neilston Pipe band Drum Salute

12.10pm – Buglar

12.12pm – Lord Lieutenant Speech

12.15pm – AF rep speech

12.20pm – VIP party process off dias piped into College

12.25pm – Contingent and public – Civic Reception City of Glasgow College

Information stands, Activities & entertainment

12.30pm – buffet and refreshments available

14.00 – End of Reception opportunity to network and visit info stands

15.00 – END OF EVENT #

There will be no access to parking on the College grounds, but parking is available at the Mosque closeby and is £3 charge per day.

VE Day Parade 2025

AFD Glasgow 28th June

Folk, I've been asked by the Council to give them a Guestimate of how many would attend AFD Glasgow on 28th June ( Remember we don't have a Branch meeting in June)

Note there will be no parade, just a Civic Reception, where ( but don't qoute me) if like recent years there probably won't be any alcohol.

Pleas let me know if you would like to attend.