The worst example of hypocrisy and duplicity witnessed
Andrew Rosindell M.P., Member of Parliament of Romford
On Remembrance Sunday, less than two weeks ago, I laid a wreath at the War Memorial in Coronation Gardens, Romford, on behalf of the people of my constituency, for the twenty-fifth time since my election in 2001 as Romford’s Member of Parliament. I did so, as the entire nation joined together to honour those who, of their own free will, put their lives on the line to defend Queen, now King and Country, and in many cases paid the ultimate sacrifice for doing so . The Prime Minister also laid a wreath at the Cenotaph in Whitehall. He was, in theory, paying tribute to all those who fought for Britain, which includes the 1,049 British servicemen from His Majesty’s Armed Forces, the Ulster Defence Regiment, Royal Ulster Constabulary, who died in Northern Ireland, during the period known as “the troubles”. Yet, just one week later, the government he leads proposed legislation in the House of Commons, which was blatantly hostile to all those who served fighting against Irish Republican Army terrorism during those days. In my twenty-five years as an MP, this was surely the worst example of hypocrisy and duplicity I have witnessed. A total betrayal of our brave veterans is how I would describe it. The IRA's campaign of terror was one of the darkest chapters in our nation's history, with countless atrocities, brutality, and murderous actions against the innocent people of Ulster and the British mainland. In the face of the campaign of violent terror waged by the IRA, members of His Majesty’s Armed Forces served in Northern Ireland with courage and distinction in terribly dangerous circumstances. For doing so, I believe they deserve our respect, our gratitude, and our protection. However, the legalisation that Labour have put forward, does the opposite. Instead, it opens the door to vexatious litigation against soldiers, whose only crime was to serve and protect our nation from wicked terrorists who cruelly used the bomb and bullet as weapons, in their attempt to destroy democracy and tear Britain apart. Labour has a shameful history of supporting Irish nationalism, which seeks to get rid of Northern Ireland as an integral part of our country. If I have anything to do with it, that will never happen. I will always support our Armed Forces, defend our courageous veterans, stand up for the loyal British people of Northern Ireland, and keep our United Kingdom united!
