Local Member of Parliament Craig Tracey used his first question at PMQs to praise Bedworth’s Armistice Day parade and questions the Prime Minister on Defence spending.
In the final Prime Minister Questions before the country stops to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice during war, Craig spoke in the Commons Chamber:
“I look forward to joining the Armistice Day parade in Bedworth in my constituency which has been in existence since 1921 and grown to be the largest in Britain. On the points of the military, speaking to constituents in North Warwickshire the Government Commitment of 2% of GDP spending was very welcome. Does the Prime Minister agree that, given the volatile state of many parts of the world, it is more important than ever that we maintain that commitment and give our brave troops all the support, resources and equipment available?”
To which David Cameron the Prime Minster replied:
“My hon. Friend is absolutely right. We do live in a very dangerous and uncertain world, and we have made key commitments—the 2% on defence spending throughout this Parliament, the 0.7% on aid spending, which helps our security as well as making sure we are a generous and moral nation, and, crucially, having the ultimate insurance policy of a replacement for our Trident submarines.”
It was the first time our local MP was chosen ‘out of the hat’ to ask a question at PMQs and after highlighting the issue to the Prime Minister, Craig commented:
“It is so important that the Government supports our armed forces, I believed that is was particularly poignant in the week that we honour and remember our brave Armed Forces, to ask a question about our serving troops.
Craig, who’s wife Karen served in the RAF, continued:
“I am proud that in our constituency we have a fantastic tradition for Armistice Day with the Parade in Bedworth which is so well chaired by Gil Leach.”