Commenting on General Sir Richard Dannatt’s remarks on Army privates’ pay, Liberal Democrat Shadow Defence Secretary, Nick Harvey said:
“It is refreshing to hear the head of the Army being open about problems with soldiers’ pay while still in post.
“Considering the massive sacrifices that we ask them to make, there is no doubt that our Army privates are scandalously underpaid. Read more »

Today the NAO released a report on airworthiness problems with Britain’s Chinook helicopters. In response to the findings of the report our Shadow Defence Secretary Nick Harvey expressed his disbelief:

“Even by the usual standards of MoD procurement sagas, this report really beggars belief.

 It is scandalous that while our troops are desperate for helicopters in Afghanistan, eight Chinooks have been left on the tarmac back in Britain. Read more »

The Government has no idea how many unexploded British cluster bombs remain from conflicts around the world, the Liberal Democrats have found.
 
In a Parliamentary answer, Defence Minister Bob Ainsworth admitted that he could not provide an accurate estimate of the number of unexploded British cluster munitions which still have to be cleared following their use in Iraq, Kuwait, Serbia and Kosovo.
 
Commenting, Liberal Democrat Shadow Foreign Secretary, Edward Davey said:
 
“These weapons have a terrible legacy, yet the Government appears to have no idea how many it has used and how many have been made safe.
 
“It is incredible that the Government cannot even provide an estimate as to the nature of the threat. Read more »

Commenting on today’s call by a coroner for the entire RAF Nimrod fleet to be grounded, Liberal Democrat Shadow Defence Secretary, Nick Harvey said:

This is an unprecedented call which will shake the MoD to its foundations. Unless it can show there will be grave operational consequences for our forces on the ground, the Government must make plans to ground the Nimrod fleet.

 Our armed forces are doing an incredible and difficult job in taking on the Taliban. It is scandalous that they also have to worry about the threat to their lives posed by the neglect of their own Government. Read more »

Commenting on Quentin Davies’ report on public attitudes towards the military, which recommends creating a national Armed Forces Day, Liberal Democrat Shadow Defence Secretary, Nick Harvey said:
 
“Many of these proposals are good common sense and should be welcomed. It is essential that the British public understands the huge sacrifice and commitment made by our servicemen and women.
 
“But we must never let pageantry obscure the hard facts about the way the current Government treats our Armed Forces.  Read more »

Arriving today for a two-day visit to Afghanistan, Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg has emphasised the vital importance of success in the ‘conflict of our generation’.

Warning that a failure to ensure peace and stability will see Afghanistan reverting to a haven for terrorism, he aims to find out what Britain can do to ensure the international effort in the country is put back on track to success.

Nick Clegg said:

“Afghanistan is the most important conflict of our generation. If we fail to secure lasting peace and stability, Afghanistan will revert to a pariah state, feeding the international drugs trade and offering a haven for terrorism that will threaten global security for the conceivable future. The consequences of failure would be devastating.

“Yet the success of our mission in Afghanistan hangs in the balance. International efforts have not yet delivered the stability and security that the people of Afghanistan deserve. So we must ask tough questions, of ourselves and our allies, to ensure we succeed. Read more »