The Veterans Minister recently attended a Conservative dinner in Gerrards Cross, where he spoke about the problems facing veterans in today’s society.
Johnny Mercer MP is the Cabinet Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, a position which was created in October of last year.
The dinner was held at Gerrards Cross Memorial Centre on Thursday, November 2, and was part of a series of events marking Remembrance. Local political figures attended, including Conservative Parliamentary candidate for Chesham and Amersham and Buckinghamshire councillor Gareth Williams.
Cllr Williams describes Mr Mercer MP, who did four tours of Afghanistan during his time in the military, as something of a “war hero”.
Mr Mercer MP had never been particularly politically engaged; in fact, he had never even voted. However, when he witnessed the way in which veterans were treated in the UK in contrast to the provision made for veterans in the USA, Australia and other English-speaking countries, he decided something had to change.
He was selected as the Conservative candidate for Plymouth Moor View, and was voted in as MP in the 2015 General Election.
Talking of Mr Mercer MP’s speech, cllr Williams said: “Veterans are disproportionately likely to be homeless, experience mental health problems and commit suicide.”
Mr Mercer MP’s 2017 book We Were Warriors is the account of his 12-year career in the military, something he also referred to during his speech.
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