The Bill was promised in the Queen’s Speech earlier this week.
Former sailor Michael Lyons, who was sentenced to seven months’ imprisonment in 2011 after he developed a conscientious objection to the war in Afghanistan but was refused the right to leave the Royal Navy, has backed the call by the Peace Pledge Union (PPU).
Members of Britain’s armed forces have the right to apply for discharge if they develop a conscientious objection.
But Mr Lyons warned that, in practice, conscientious objection can lead to harassment, death threats and incarceration.
“We must listen to the unique views and experiences of those military personnel who choose to stand up and speak out if we are ever to find a way out of perpetual war,” he said.
As I write this column, Parliament has just reconvened after prorogation for the State Opening of Parliament and the Queen’s Speech. Usually the Queen’s Speech would see both chambers of the Houses of Parliament packed with many guests for the height of pomp and ceremony. However due to Covid, this state opening is very different with a much-reduced procession to hear the Government’s legislative agenda for the upcoming Parliamentary session. The Queen’s Speech has highlighted the 31 bills that the Government intends to bring forward over the next year covering all aspects of society and life. To support our veterans with a National Insurance Contributions Bill that will provide contributions relief for employers of veterans.
Queen’s Speech 2021: Boris Johnson s key policy pledges revealed
Government aims to bring forward around 25 Bills in next year, including one that could be used to spring a snap election
12 May 2021 • 10:28am
Boris Johnson used the Queen s Speech on Tuesday to press ahead with scrapping fixed five-year terms between elections, freeing him up to call an earlier poll.
The Prime Minister will regain the initiative to spring a snap contest on Labour, raising the prospect of the next general election taking place before December 2024.
It is one of around 25 Bills that were pledged for introduction in Parliament in the coming year, including flagship reforms to the NHS, an overhaul of the planning system and a crackdown on crime.
Bracknell’s MP has reacted to the Labour’s drubbing in the Hartlepool by-election and the Local Elections 2021 more broadly. James Sunderland, the MP for Bracknell since 2019, also voiced serious concern over the result in Scotland, and made an emotional plea for Prime Minister Boris Johnson and fellow Conservatives to ‘save the Union’. He said: “I’ve always been quite clear, do not underestimate the enemy. I won’t be slagging off Labour publicly, because it’s not my problem to do that, we’ve got our own problems. I think you should respect your opponent and I those your up against.