Gordon Marsden, MP for Blackpool South today backed two new campaigns in Parliament which recognise the brave work done by members of the UK armed forces and also the rights of veterans.

The campaign to recognise our armed forces was launched this week and calls on the Government to continue to increase public knowledge of the work the armed forces do. Gordon welcomed the campaign saying: “The men and women in our armed forces are respected for their hard work – done in difficult conditions. Many people in Blackpool have family members who are serving abroad and I think its right that we acknowledge their heroic duties.

Mr Marsden has also been liaising with the Armed Forces Pension Group on the campaign to secure military pensions rights for veterans who retired from the armed forces before April 1975 with less than 22 years service as well as backing a motion in Parliament on this.  Mr Marsden commented: “Generally, such veterans do not get a pension even though they may have served alongside a colleague who retired a year later than them – and that colleague would be entitled to a pension. This is unjust, and I think many people would agree.”

“In Blackpool I have seen the sterling work of the British Legion and the Burma Star Association and other ex-service personnel organisations over the years. That’s why I was so delighted to be with the Veterans Minister when he announced that Blackpool has been chosen to host this years Veterans Day celebrations and very pleased by his recent visit to our BLESMA home in South Shore.”

14/03/08