LLOYD Hatton, Labour parliamentary candidate for South Dorset, supports Keir Starmer’s 2.5% defence pledge, calls for veterans to receive more support and condemns Conservative cuts.

Last week, the Labour Party set out its stall for the future of the Armed Forces and for keeping Britain safe.

We’ve been clear that our commitment to investing in our Armed Forces, to the NATO alliance, and to Britain’s nuclear deterrent is unshakeable.

As part of this, an incoming Labour Government will increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP as soon as resources allow.

Once the economy is growing again, we must begin to properly invest in our Armed Forces.

This commitment really matters.

For the last 14 years it has felt like the Army, Air Force and Navy have all been under managed decline.

With around 75,000 personnel, the Army is now at its smallest since the Napoleonic Wars.

Wherever you look, the size of our forces has been shrunk and Britain’s global reach has been scaled back.

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The brave folk who serve in our Armed Forces and Reserves need to know that government has their back.

And they need to know that this resolute support will still be in place once they leave the forces – and support for their loved ones as well.

Unfortunately, this has too often not been the case for veterans.

So Labour’s pledge to inject new money is welcome.

It has been disappointing to see this Conservative Government preside over such savage cutbacks, since 2010 they have repeatedly stripped back our Armed Forces.

And we have all seen those cuts on the ground here in Dorset.

In an unstable world and with a diverse range of threats facing Britain, it’s more important than ever that we invest in keeping Britain safe and giving our forces the resources they need.

If elected as South Dorset’s next MP, I pledge to back our Armed Forces and ensure new investment is delivered as soon as is practically possible.

And I will campaign to ensure Dorset gets its fair share of extra funds.

It’s time to back our Armed Forces. It’s time for a fresh start.