March 2022: Members participating within the AFPS take a Chinook to RAF Odiham | © Andy Donovan
4 min learn
The big variety of frontbench graduates of the scheme is a testomony to its worth
The current article in regards to the visionary basis of the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme (AFPS) by Sir Neil Thorne some 34 years-ago was an enchanting piece of parliamentary historical past. And I salute Sir Neil for his imaginative and prescient and warmly congratulate him on his ninetieth birthday.
Nonetheless, the scheme has moved on since Sir Neil’s time, which prompts me to let my colleagues and others in Parliament know just a little bit extra about immediately’s AFPS.
For the final 10 years or so, the AFPS has been run from inside Parliament as a charitable included organisation beneath the governance of the Charity Fee. Its objective is the higher training and data of parliamentarians (from each Homes) in regards to the lifestyle of our service individuals.
Strategic course is offered by a bunch of 9 trustees – the Armed Forces Parliamentary Belief – which I chair. The opposite trustees are two nominated by the Ministry of Defence (MoD), two from the Commons, two from the Lords, and two from the defence industries. The scheme operates by advantage of sponsorship from the defence business and beneath a memorandum of understanding with the MoD.
The AFPS is run in Parliament by Lieutenant Colonel Johnny Longbottom, the full-time chief of workers, who’s a widely known determine across the Palace. Alongside Colonel Johnny, the Royal Navy, military and Royal Air Pressure programs are facilitated by three Parliamentary Engagement Officers from throughout the MoD.
The scheme runs from September to September and permits 45 parliamentarians from each Homes to participate annually (15 to every of the three providers). We’re at all times closely oversubscribed, which permits us to be really cross-party and choose those that have most to achieve from it. For instance, I’m very proud that proper now the Labour frontbench defence group are primarily graduates of the scheme, which alone signifies its worth. One thing like 200 parliamentarians will undergo the scheme in anybody Parliament which interprets to an enormous improve in understanding of defence throughout each Homes.
Plans are being drawn up for abroad visits to Norway, the Falkland Islands, Gibraltar and Cyprus
The scheme begins with a two-day Introduction to Defence course on the Defence Academy in Shrivenham, after which members unfold out around the nation visiting particular person models and bases for his or her chosen service. Along with that, there are additionally a number of abroad visits deliberate all year long. Members on the military course have already visited Operation Cabrit in Estonia – the UK’s deployment and contribution to Nato’s enhanced Ahead Presence within the Baltic states. Plans are at present being drawn up for abroad visits to Norway, the Falkland Islands, Gibraltar and Cyprus.
The minimal dedication anticipated and wanted to graduate is 15 days however, like most issues in life, the extra one places within the extra one will get out. It’s not unusual for 35 days or extra to be achieved. The overwhelming majority of parliamentarians simply handle the minimal 15-day dedication and are consequently invited to the annual commencement dinner after which they will put on the much-coveted AFPS tie or brooch!
The goal of the scheme is to offer parliamentarians, the overwhelming majority of whom don’t have any expertise of our armed forces, an perception into navy life that will not in any other case be accessible to them. I hope that they are going to then have the ability to make a extra knowledgeable and helpful contribution to defence debates and questions. Observers in Parliament, the MoD and the armed forces agree that the AFPS as a complete has been an infinite success and that the extent of understanding of our armed forces is considerably greater as a direct results of it.
James Grey is Conservative MP for North Wiltshire and chairman of the Armed Forces Parliamentary Belief
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