As we celebrate Armed Forces Day, Jonathan Gullis, Parliamentary candidate for Stoke-on-Trent North, Kidsgrove and Talke, says thank you to the 11,300 people working in our Armed Forces and crucial defence jobs in the West Midlands.
This is the eleventh Armed Forces Day, and it presents an opportunity to say thank you to our servicemen and women here and around the world. It is a chance to recognise the great sacrifice they have made for their country – often spending long periods of time away from home.
Here in the West Midlands there are 11,300 men and women working keep our country safe, upholding our nation’s security and prosperity.
The Conservatives remain committed to meeting the NATO target to spend two per cent of GDP on defence, upholding our position as a global world leader.
Leadership contender Jeremy Hunt has vowed to boost the military budget by £15 billion if he wins the race for Number 10, while Boris Johnson has suggested he could also increase spending in the face of worsening threats to Britain's security.
Last year former Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson secured a £1bn funding spike to combat cyber capabilities and anti-submarine warfare.
Commenting, Jonathan said:
“Armed Forces Day is an opportunity for us to say thank you to the brave service men and women in the West Midlands, working to keep our country safe from increasing threats around the world. Having two grandfathers in the military and a member of my family as a D-Day veteran, Allan Gullis, I learnt early on the importance our armed forces play in protecting the many freedoms we enjoy today.”
Jonathan vows that his party would "always prioritise defence", adding: "We truly recognise the sacrifice our brave Armed Forces have made for our country and want Britain to remain a global leader in defence. Sunday was a great opportunity for us to say thank you to the men and women working to keep our country safe from increasing threats around the world.”
