Labour candidate James Alexander takes Debt Of Honour campaign to MPs in Westminster (From York Press)

Labour candidate James Alexander takes Debt Of Honour campaign to MPs in Westminster

8:08am Tuesday 29th December 2009

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THE fight to win a fair deal for North Yorkshire’s wounded war heroes whose courage left them with shattered lives has been taken to the UK’s political heart by one of the city’s councillors.

Every MP in the country is being asked to throw their weight behind The Press’s Debt Of Honour campaign, which is seeking to force a radical rethink of the way servicemen and women injured in the line of duty are cared for when they return home.

About 800 of our readers have already signed a petition calling for the Ministry of Defence to stage a review of its heavily-criticised Armed Forces Compensation Scheme, as well as providing more immediate support and funding for wounded troops and proper recognition of the terrible scars left by psychological, as well as physical, injury.

Now Holgate councillor James Alexander, who is Labour’s prospective Parliamentary candidate for the new York Outer seat at next year’s General Election, has travelled to Westminster in a bid to draw in more support from MPs.

He has written to every elected member asking them to sign up to Debt Of Honour’s aims and hopes the move will attract influential cross-party backing.

“I appreciate the work our troops do and I respect their bravery to the hilt,” said Coun Alexander, who has also circulated letters asking for support among York Outer residents as well as setting up a Facebook group and a Downing Street petition.

“We owe them so much, and therefore, if there is a concern over appropriate levels of compensation for servicemen and women and their families, then a review should be conducted.

“I wanted to do my bit to help this important campaign by The Press and, since writing to thousands of residents in York Outer asking for their support, I have travelled to Westminster and hand-delivered a letter from myself to all MPs in the country.

“I do not believe this is a party political issue and I hope all the MPs I have written to see this as such and respond accordingly.”

Among Debt of Honour’s supporters are the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, the Royal British Legion and other organisations which help wounded service personnel, as well as those who have seen their own lives wrecked or seriously affected through serving their country.

You can join them by adding your name to the petition coupon at www.thepress.co.uk/debtofhonour or by phoning Mark Stead on 01904 567131 or emailing mark.stead@thepress.co.uk

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