I was honoured last week to attend the House of Commons' Garden of Remembrance to pay my respects on behalf of the constituents of Barrow and Furness to all those that have served to defend our freedoms and protect our way of life. Over the weekend and on Monday I will be attending Remembrance events across the area. 

This is obviously the first time I’ve had the privilege of representing my constituency – the place I was born and lived all my life - at remembrance parades, ceremonies and services. I do not take this responsibility lightly.

Remembrance Day is a moment when our country comes together to honour those who have served, those who have fought and, above all, those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to defend our country. It is a solemn and special occasion.

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I think that in Barrow and Furness we are a community that instinctively understands that important covenant which exists between our country and the members of the armed forces who put their lives on the line to protect us. 

We’re the place that builds the submarines which provide our nuclear deterrent - the most complex piece of engineering on the planet - and we are the only place in the UK that can do that. We rightly take great pride in the role we play protecting our nation. 

On a personal level it is something that is extremely important to me. That’s why I’m proud to have been elected to sit on the Defence Select Committee and to Chair the AUKUS All Party Parliamentary Group.

I was delighted to invite a delegation of 20 senior military officers from the Royal College of Defence Studies to Furness earlier this month to talk to them about the area and our unique relationship with our armed forces.

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I will use these positions to be a strong voice for our brave military personnel and veterans in Parliament and to hold the Government to account on their commitment to the nation’s armed forces personnel. 

I’m pleased with the start that has been made, with the largest pay increase for our forces for over 20 years, introduction of an independent armed forces commissioner, and the £20m Veterans Capital Housing Fund to ensure a sustainable supply of social and affordable veteran housing. I will push to make sure that more is done.

It is a stark fact that the number of veterans in this country is forecast to fall by a third in the next 10 years. With fewer of us having a direct understanding of what it means to serve, we must work hard to build the country’s understanding of, and commitment to, the armed forces. 

That has never been more important than this year which marks the 80th anniversary of D-day and Battle of the Bulge, and 10 years since the end of UK combat operations in Afghanistan.

Across the years hundreds of thousands have answered the nation’s call and given their lives in doing so. We honour them, and we will remember them.