Military Covenant - Tories break it already

The Tories campaigned during the last election on how they were going to mend the Military Covenant. Britain has a 'duty of care' to its armed forces. This began as an unspoken pact between society and the military, possibly originating as far back as Henry VIII's reign. The pact was formally codified as a 'covenant' in 2000 (by the Labour Government). It is not a law but is reinforced by custom and convention.

The Tories accused the Labour Government of breaking the Covenant and told everyone how they were going to mend it - so what have they done!

Well they have not done much but they have told us what they are going to do - cut pensions to War Widows and injured soldiers - George Osborne the Tory Chancellor has announced the proposed changes, it has even caused the Head of the Armed Forces to say that 'War widows and injured soldiers must be protected against the "worst excesses" of the coalition's cuts to pensions'

I was fortunate to serve alongside and get to know two brave young soldiers who lost their lives in Sangin, Afghanistan in 2009 both were married and joined the tour late as they stayed behind in the UK for a few weeks as their young wives were both pregnant. A week after their babies were born they flew out to join us. This Tory Government is now saying if those young widows remarry, they will lose their War Widow pension. If that is not breaking the Military Covenant, I don't know what is: The Covenant states: " British soldiers must always be able to expect fair treatment, to be valued and respected as individuals, and that they (and their families) will be sustained and rewarded by commensurate terms and conditions of service."




I was also fortunate to work alongside Staff Sergeant Olaf Schmid, who lost his life on bomb disposal duty, his wife Christina spoke eloquently after his death, and captured the feeling of many families who have lost loved ones. Now Osborne and the Tories want to cut her pension.

It is nothing more than a disgrace!

Staff Sgt Olaf Schmid - one of the bravest men I have ever met

I was fortunate to meet many brave men and women during my six months in Afghanistan, but there is little doubt that Olaf Schmid was one of the bravest.
The teams who defuse the Improvised Explosive Devices that are planted by the Taliban have one of the most difficult jobs undertaken by HM Forces and not only was Olaf brave but he was also superb leader of his team.

Christina Schmid who in her own words called herself a "proud widow" also had these words:

"We might disagree with a war. However, I hope Olaf's death, my public storytelling and appreciation, our community display of respect here today can serve to bridge that gap and unite us once more with our troops."

Mrs Schmid said she hoped the work troops were doing in Afghanistan did not go "unnoticed" by "our leaders".

It is important that we don not forget the likes of Olaf or any of our troops serving in Afghanistan, but it is also the duty of this Government and the Army to get the message over to the British Public, why we are in Afghanistan, why it is such an important role and also the tell the public of the successes of the British and coalition troops.