I had my first - who knows, maybe my last - outing at the dispatch box this month, in my capacity as shadow defence minister.
The Government has refused to commit to a timetable for their promise to raise defence spending, which means the commitment means nothing; and without this new money, not just future but current programmes are put at risk.
I asked the minister to at least promise to preserve research and development spending, the vital ingredient to ensure our capabilities remain viable in the fast-changing world of warfare. He refused.
The next morning I was on my feet again, this time in a ‘Delegated Legislation’ committee, which is when the Commons devolves a decision to a small group of MPs sitting in a committee room upstairs.
It was a formality as the Opposition (represented by me) supported the Government on this occasion - but a very important one, for the legislation we were approving was The Armed Forces Act 2006 (Continuation) Order 2024.
Since the Glorious Revolution of 1688 Parliament has insisted on its right to approve the existence of a standing army; without this little annual formality we could have no national defence.
On defence, I have been lobbying the Government to consider an exemption for military families from the addition of VAT to private school fees.
I held a drop in in Larkhill earlier this month which was attended by more than 50 people attended to share their concerns about the impact this tax would have on them.
All but one were military; none are rich; all use boarding schools because their jobs mean they move home almost annually, or are posted abroad at short notice, and day schools simply can’t provide the continuity of education they need.
All the parents I met said they will have to consider leaving the armed forces if these costs are introduced.
I object to taxing education on principle (no other country in the world does it); but I also object because it threatens to deprive our armed forces of thousands of bright and motivated personnel just as we face a defence manpower crisis in the midst of a global security crisis.
As I write this, the Autumn Budget has not yet been released. I hope by the time you read this column there will be a positive update and an exemption for our Armed Forces families, as I have been campaigning for.
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