KEETCH JOINS UKNDA AS VICE PRESIDENT

2.21.00pm GMT Mon 5th Nov 2007

Local MP, Paul Keetch, has been invited to join The UKNDA (UK National Defence Association) as Vice President by the group's President, Winston Churchill. The organisation launches today with a call to action for Government to increase spending on the Armed Forces at the earliest opportunity and believes that current levels of spending are seriously undermining the UK's ability to defend this country as well as its people, their vital interests and security.

UKNDA President, Winston Churchill, grandson of the war time leader said: "Twenty five years ago during the Falkland's War we were devoting 5% of all we produce as a nation (GDP) to defence. Today that figure stands at around 2% yet we are fighting simultaneously the two most intense wars the United Kingdom has been engaged in since Korea.

"If the nation continues to call upon its Armed Forces to engage on multiple fronts then defence spending must increase to a minimum of 3%",, he added. "We are calling on all political parties to sign up to this commitment."

The UKNDA has been formed under the patronage of three former Chiefs of Defence staff: General Lord Guthrie GCB LVO OBE, Marshal of the Royal Air Force Lord Craig GCB OBE, Admiral Lord Boyce GCB OBE DL and also The Rt. Hon. Lord Owen.

Lord Guthrie said: "This is a most pressing issue. Underfunding of our Armed Forces is already having consequences, both for our overall defence capability and for our forces at the sharp end, which are too thinly spread and being required to go to war with equipment which is often outdated and not fit for purpose"

Lord Craig added: "Defence has been, and still is, too low on the nation's list of priorities and the Armed Forces are patently under-funded and over-stretched for the tasks they are being asked to do.

Lord Boyce commented: "Even though defence did see an increase in the most recent Comprehensive Spending Review that goes nowhere near addressing the fundamental issue of proper funding and over-commitment.

The UKNDA, an independent and apolitical organisation, has also won the backing of high-profile and influential supporters from civilian groups, MPs and academia.

Paul Keetch MP comments on his new position, "I am delighted to have been asked to serve as Vice President of such an eminent group. Almost three years since I stopped being the Liberal Democrat Defence Spokesman I still retain a great interest in defence issues and that is acknowledged by this request. We are asking more and more of our armed forces at home and abroad and we need to ensure that they are properly funded. The UKNDA will certainly contribute to that debate."

The launch comes just three days ahead of Remembrance Day on November 11th, the day set aside to commemorate the sacrifice of veterans and civilians in World War I, World War II and other wars around the world.

For further information about the campaign and to sign up for support visit: www.uknda.org