REDUCING DISCRIMINATION AGAINST ARMED FORCES PERSONNEL

Early day motion 150, tabled 11 June 2012 by Nick Smith (Labour). Signed by 53 members.

That this House recognises the immeasurable contribution the British Armed Forces and their families make to national security and well-being; commits to honouring their many sacrifices by providing the highest levels of care and support for the service community at home; believes in the principles of the Military Covenant and wants them to apply across the whole of UK society; deplores any and all forms of discrimination directed towards the armed forces and their families; seeks to end discrimination on the grounds that we must protect those who protect the UK; further believes this should be an issue which unites all sides of the House; supports cross-party talks involving service charities and the military on how to make this happen; and further recognises the potential merit in introducing new legal protections, such as those that exist for other groups, to defend the service community against discrimination.

Signatures by party: Labour 31, Liberal Democrat 8, Conservative 6, DUP 5, Alliance 1, Independent 1, Scottish National Party 1.