Spink says:

“Our forces are committed and professional, the best in the world and they are doing a dangerous job in the most difficult circumstances, often unable to protect themselves as they would like. Some of them are not coming back and will sacrifice all for their country. What ever we thinks of the politics of their deployment, and I think their withdrawal is long overdue, we must all agree that they need and deserve our support, admiration and total respect.”

Hansard Tuesday 3rd July Armed Forces

Bob Spink (Castle Point) (Con): Following Castle Point Veterans Day on Friday, which was a tremendous success and nprecedented with more than 500 people attending, I am honoured to present a petition on behalf of
tomorrow’s veterans.

It calls on the Government to show that they recognise and care about the difficulties that our servicemen and women face right now. They are fighting and some are dying for the security of this country and the wider world; they are fighting people who would destroy our way of life. Like the Castle Point Veterans, they are, as Tony Blair put it last week, the “bravest and the best”.

The petition states:

The Petition of David Cain, Philip Redl and others declares that the cost of sending parcels and letters to members of HM Armed Forces in Iraq and Afghanistan is inequitable in relation to the nature of their work and
the commitment they have made to serve their country.

Therefore, your Petitioners request that the House of Commons urges the Government to adopt a policy of free postage to members of HM Armed Forces from family and friends in the UK in recognition of the contribution made by these brave men and women.

And the Petitioners remain, etc.