Forces Welfare

Lib Dems back plans for National Defence Medal

Liberal Democrats have called for the creation of a new medal for all veterans of the UK’s armed forces. At their party conference in Liverpool, they voted to support the campaign for a National Defence Medal, to recognise the commitment and sacrifice of anyone who’s served, regardless of whether they’ve gone to the front line.

Veteran’s medals are a clear symbol of those who have served their country, recognising participation in a particular campaign, or long standing service.

But thousands of forces veterans who’ve served Britain have no medal to show for it – their work never qualified them for one.

Cases raised at this conference include servicemen and women who didn’t serve in Northern Ireland itself, but in mainland Britain still faced real threats from the IRA in the 1970’s and 80’s And in the cold war RAF crews who air lifted vital supplies into Berlin when it was under blockade.

As with all medals, ultimately it’s the Queen who would decide on such an award. But she’s already agreed to requests from the governments of Australia and New Zealand for a National Defence Medals there.

In Britain, the MoD has argued that service alone has never been justification for a medal.

You can read James Hirst's blog from the Liberal Democrat Party Conference by clicking on the link below
http://www.bfbs.com/news/blogs/james-hirsts-blog-political-party-confere...