Toby Perkins MP invited Alex Fawbert, former Army Officer and commanding officer of Chesterfield Sea Cadets, as his guests to a reception in Parliament to mark Armed Forces Day. The event was hosted and attended by Labour Leader Keir Starmer and Shadow Defence Secretary John Healey.  

The reception was attended by other Labour MPs and members from the Armed Forces communities across the country to celebrate their contribution at home and abroad.  

Labour’s John Healey stressed the Conservatives appalling record on Defence, that 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. 

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 moldy 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.  

Labour would also strengthen support for veterans, with a boost to specialist support and a plan to bring down waiting times for veteran’s mental health services as part of a £1bn commitment to ensure everyone receives treatment within a month. 

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. 

Toby Perkins, MP for Chesterfield, said: 

“I was delighted to have invited Alex to Parliament to celebrate Armed Forces Day with Labour Leader Keir Starmer.  

“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. On Armed Forces Day, we thank them for all they do to keep Britain safe.” 

He added: “The next Labour Government will stand by our troops, veterans and their families. We will boost mental health support, ensure our heroes have good homes to live in and fully incorporate the Armed Forces Covenant into law.”