Council's Backing Secured for Royal British Legion's Campaign (Manchester Liberal Democrats Online)

Manchester Liberal Democrats Online <info@manchester-libdems.org.uk>

Council's Backing Secured for Royal British Legion's Campaign

February 13, 2008 12:00 AM

Manchester Council Supports Honour the Covenant Campaign (photo courtesy of Royal British Legion)

Manchester's Liberal Democrats have welcomed today's all-party agreement at the Council's top-level Executive Committee to support the Royal British Legion's "Honour the Covenant" campaign.

Today's decision stems from an initiative by Liberal Democrat Councillor Iain Donaldson, who first raised the issue at December's Council meeting, where he secured all-party backing for his proposal to support the "Honour the Covenant" campaign.

Manchester Councillor Iain Donaldson said:

"I raised this at Council because I believe the Government should honour the Military Covenant - the guarantee of a duty of care between the Government and the armed forces."

"Our armed forces make sacrifices and put their lives on the line, for the greater good. In return, Manchester City Council believes that Service people and their families should get the support they deserve."

Cllr Donaldson concluded:

"It is only right that Manchester City Council looks at what action we can take locally on a voluntary basis to support the British Legion's campaign. I look forward to working with Labour on this important issue."

End

The campaign calls for:

a just compensation scheme, which recognises the commitment and sacrifices made when serving the Nation.
a greater commitment to support the physical and mental health of Service people and their families.
more support for bereaved Service families.

At today's Executive Committee, the Council agreed to set up a working party to meet representatives of the Royal British Legion to consider how the Council and its partners can support the Campaign - opportunities for local action could include key issues such as health, employment and housing.

The elected members on the working group are: Cllr Iain Donaldson, Council Deputy Leader Cllr Val Stevens and Cllr Tony Burns.

For more information about the Royal British Legion's "Honour the Covenant" campaign, go to:

http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/index.cfm?asset_id=516704