This Armed Forces Week, Caerphilly County Borough Councillor and Armed Forces Champion, Teresa Heron, and her husband and Army Veteran, Terence Heron, joined Chris Evans MP and Wayne David MP at an event in the House of Commons.
As part of Labour’s Armed Forces Week celebrations, Mrs and Mr Heron attended a reception in the Houses of Parliament. At the reception they met Leader of the Labour Party Sir Keir Starmer, alongside other high-profile politicians such as the Shadow Defence Secretary John Healey and the Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy.
Speaking at the event, Mr Starmer discussed Labour’s new policy commitment to introduce an Armed Forces Commissioner, in what he has stated will be ‘our first step in renewing Britain’s moral contract with our Forces. The Commissioner will be a strong public voice for personnel and their families, improve service life, and strengthen parliamentary oversight.’
All Local Authorities in Wales have signed the Armed Forces Covenant, with Caerphilly County Borough Council being awarded a Gold in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.
According to the 2021 Census, over 6000 people across Caerphilly County Borough Council area have served in the Armed Forces.
Chris Evans MP for Islwyn and Shadow Minister for Defence Procurement said:
‘Armed Forces Week is a chance for all of us to pay tribute to the service and commitment of our Forces, their families and veterans and the vital role they play in keeping Britain safe.
Like everyone in Wales and across the UK, Labour has deep respect for the serving men and women of our Armed Forces.
I was pleased that Councillor Teresa Heron and her husband Terence Heron were able to join me at Labour’s Armed Forces Week Reception to show them how much their work and service is appreciated.’
Cllr Teresa Heron said:
‘It was very positive to hear Keir Starmer’s commitment to our Armed Forces. With over 6000 veterans across the Caerphilly County area, looking after our forces is a key commitment of the council and personally important to me as the wife of a veteran’.
Wayne David MP for Caerphilly said:
‘I am extremely pleased that Labour is so firmly committed to ensuring that our Armed Forces and their personnel, past and present, are properly respected and supported. These brave and selfless men and women have been, and are still, prepared to defend our country, and we owe it to them to honour their service.’
