Colchester Labour Party

Committed to all the people of our town

Labour Friends of the Forces Launched

Colchester Labour Party representatives have been celebrating the work of Britain’s armed forces at a special event in Westminster on Tuesday evening (22 November).

Local Labour Party Chairman Jordan Newell and Councillor Tim Young were invited by Labour’s Shadow Defence Secretary Jim Murphy MP to attend the launch of ‘Labour Friends of the Forces’ at the House of Commons.

Speaking in Westminster, Jordan Newell said:

“Labour Friends of the Forces is about making sure that the Labour Party is engaged with service communities in places like Colchester, to better understand their priorities.”

Formed as a campaigning body within the Party, the organisation is dedicated to campaigning on the issues that matter to the Armed Forces, their families and the wider service community.  Labour Friends of the Forces demonstrates the value Labour places defence and the military covenant.

"The Army community is an very important part of our town and we in the local Labour Party want to make show that we are serving those who serve our country. We'll be holding discussions and meeting with active service personnel, their families and local veterans, to make show our work reflects their values, ” Jordan added.

Labour’s commitment to the Services has been shown in our successful campaign, in support of the Royal British Legion, to enshrine the Military Covenant in law. The Party is offering a reduced membership rate for service personnel and veterans, who can now join the Labour Party for just £1 for the first year.

The group, which counts former NATO Secretary-General Lord George Robertson and Colchester-based soldier turned MP Dan Jarvis among its patrons, was formed at the Labour Party Conference in September.