Labour pledge falls short of Armed Forces Card commitment
The Labour-run Welsh Government has today launched a free swimming policy for veterans and armed forces personnel, which formed a key plank of the Welsh Conservative ‘Armed Forces Card’ manifesto pledge in 2011.
The proposals also include a commitment to priority home adaptation, priority treatment for service-related injuries on the NHS and an expansion of the free bus pass scheme.
Mark Isherwood AM, Shadow Minister for Communities, said, “While I welcome Labour’s adoption of our policy of free swimming for veterans and armed forces personnel, it falls far short of our commitment, made in 2011, for an Armed Forces Card, which includes key entitlements to NHS treatment, home adaptation and a free bus pass.
“Our armed forces routinely put their lives on the line to maintain Britain’s national security and it is right that we recognise the sacrifices they make.
“This is further evidence that it’s the Welsh Conservatives, not Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour, offering new ideas and real change for Wales.”
Clwyd West AM Darren Millar, who Chairs the Assembly’s Cross Party Group on the Armed Forces added, “While I hope many armed forces personnel will benefit from free swimming, this does not go far enough in valuing the contribution they make to keeping our country safe.
“While Jeremy Corbyn talks about abolishing the army and removing Britain’s defences, Welsh Conservatives believe that our armed forces personnel do a fantastic job of maintaining Britain’s national security in an increasingly dangerous world.”
