James Duddridge, MP for Rochford and Southend East, has today restated his support for British troops on the front line.
Speaking in light of a motion by the National Union of Teachers that would end school visits designed to raise awareness of the Armed Forces, James commented:
“Banning the Army from raising awareness of their work amongst schoolchildren would be an absurd thing to do in the current climate.
“Our boys on the front line need all the support we can give them at the moment – undermining them is the last thing we should be doing. If these proposals to end recruitment in schools go through they could do some serious damage to soldiers’ morale.”
Last week James honoured local troops returning from Afghanistan at a ceremony at County Hall in Chelmsford. The presentation recognised the operational achievements of Essex’s county regiment and garrisoned troops. He also met troops on the ground in Afghanistan in October, when he was visiting the country for an inquiry into how aid money is spent and how it relates to the military effort.
James will be popping into the local Armed Forces Careers Office in Victoria Plaza later next month.
25 March 2008