Shipmates may wish to be aware that a Parliamentary Petition is ongoing to ‘Stop cuts to the RN & RM Amphibious Ships’. If you would like to sign the petition and it is hoped you will want to sign up. please follow the link below;
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/202588
This petition calls on the Government not to cut Devonport-based HMS Albion & HMS Bulwark. There has been recent media commentary that the Government is considering scrapping the Royal Navy’s entire amphibious assault capabilities and cut 1,000 Royal Marines. The petition seeks to prevent any potential cuts to the LPDs.
The Government response so far is; A cross-Government review of national security capabilities is being conducted to ensure future investment is unified and efficient. No decisions have been made and the media articles are speculation. In the face of ever-changing threats to our security, the Ministry of Defence is contributing to the cross-Government review of national security capabilities in support of the continued implementation of the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review. This Review is to ensure that the United Kingdom’s investment in capabilities is as joined-up, effective and efficient as possible, and will cover areas including Defence, counter terrorism, national resilience and cyber. This Review is on-going and no decisions have been made; any discussion of specific platforms or capabilities is speculation. Ministers will consider the conclusions of the National Security Capability Review in due course.
If the Petition has 100,000 signatures it will be considered for a Parliamentary Debate. There are currently 30,000 signatures.
The RNA Charter provides that the Association is not party political but can speak up for the Royal Navy on the issues of the day. So, ‘Not for any Party, but passionately for the Royal Navy (and Royal Marines!)’
