As part of the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme, Matthew made the journey to the Falkland Islands to experience military life for service personnel and meet a constituent. While the islands are famous for the invasion by the Argentinean army in 1983, it remains home for approximately 3,000 people - Falkland islanders and also military personnel. The islands are a unique location for the British Armed Forces as all three services are able to train side-by-side. As such Matthew was able to take part in a live fire exercise with the Army, spend a night on board HMS York as it took part in sea defence exercises and experience the search and rescue capability of the RAF. He also took the opportunity to visit the site of a minefield as there is estimated to be up to 25,000 land mines left by the Argentineans in 1982 in a number of minefields around Port Stanley, Port Howard, Fox Bay and Goose Green.
The Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme is about promoting a better understanding of military life amongst Members of Parliament. MPs are embedded with service personnel as they take part in their duties and as such they get a real ‘feel’ of what serving in the Army, Navy and Air Force is really like. The scheme is NOT paid for by the taxpayer or the Ministry of Defence but is funded through private and corporate donations.
Matthew said: “Having travelled 8,000 miles I was surprised and delighted to meet a constituent from Daws Lane in Mill Hill. That demonstrates the value of such a visit as it allows me to speak 'in situ' with those who are away from home defending our country. The announcement by the Secretary of State to formalise the Military Covenant is something that will be welcomed by such people as they spoke to me about the difficulties of maintaining a family life while separated for months at a time. For many years I believe the Armed Forces were neglected by the Government and I am pleased that is now being addressed.”
Photo: Matthew is pictured being winched on to the deck of HMS York in the South Atlantic