Local MP Lembit Öpik Pledges to "do his bit" for British Armed Forces

2.00.51pm GMT Thu 18th Feb 2010

Lembit Öpik, MP for Montgomeryshire, has been thanked for pledging to do his bit for the British Armed Forces family.Lembit met with a delegation from The Royal British Legion at Westminster to get behind the charity's call for general election candidates of all parties to support the whole Armed Forces family. Lembit also discussed the Legion's manifesto and the changes that it is calling for.

The manifesto sets out priorities for the next Government to improve conditions for the British Armed Forces past and present and their families. It encourages MPs and prospective parliamentary candidates (PPCs) to "do their bit" for Service Personnel and their families, the bereaved, veterans and dependants.

During the meeting, Lembit was photographed with a giant replica of the personalised pledge card, which he has been given by the Legion in recognition of his pledge.

Kevin Shinkwin, the Legion's Head of Public Affairs, said, "We're delighted to give Lembit his pledge card in recognition of his pledge to do his bit. Our message to every MP and candidate standing at the general election is very simple: "It's time to do your bit. How you do that is entirely up to you but pledging publicly at www.timetodoyourbit.org.uk is a great way of showing your support for the whole Armed Forces family, both now and beyond the general election."

"Both the serving and ex-Service community need the support of politicians," he added. "Our manifesto outlines practical ways the next government can help, and we hope all the parties will give it serious consideration".

Lembit said, "I was really pleased to pledge to do my bit and to get my pledge card from the Legion. I know the work they do for the whole Armed Forces family matters not just to me, but to so many of my constituents as well. It's so important we all get behind them, and I'm looking forward to seeing how my party responds to their manifesto"