Havant MP Alan Mak has been selected for a prestigious year-long placement with the Royal Navy.
Mak is one of 30 MPs from all parties selected to participate in this year’s Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme (AFPS), an initiative that gives MPs first-hand experience of the Armed Forces. The AFPS is run by the Armed Forces Parliamentary Trust based in the Palace of Westminster and supported by all the main political parties.
Following a competitive selection process, ten MPs have been assigned to each of the Armed Forces service, with Mak one of ten joining the Royal Navy.
During the year, Mak will learn about the Navy’s strategy, understand the Navy’s role in warfare and peacekeeping, meet Navy personnel ranging from senior officers to junior seamen, and visit Royal Navy bases around the country including Portsmouth and Faslane, Scotland, home of Britain’s nuclear submarines. Mak will also visit Royal Navy personnel deployed abroad.
The Scheme’s objective is to enable MPs to understand the day-to-day work of the Armed Forces so they can build a detailed understanding of the challenges faced by them to inform their Parliamentary work. The Strategic Defence and Security Review and Spending Review, both taking place later in 2015, will determine the Armed Forces budgets for the coming years.
Mak’s year with the Navy kicked-off with a three-day induction last week (Wednesday 24 June to Friday 26 June) at the UK Defence Academy at Shrivenham, Wiltshire. Senior military leaders briefed MPs on Britain’s defence strategy, current operations around the world, and the role MPs can play in supporting our Armed Forces. Speakers included Havant resident and Chief of the Naval Staff Commodore Jim Lines who briefed MPs on the Navy’s current structure and operations. Commodore Lines, who is usually based at the Ministry of Defence in London, congratulated Mak on his placement with the Royal Navy.
Alan Mak MP said, “I’m delighted to have been selected to spend a year with the Royal Navy. I’m looking forward to meeting Navy personnel and visiting Navy bases so I can understand what life is like on a day-to-day basis. Havant is home to many Navy personnel and veterans, and I will be a strong champion for them.”
Mak added, “Our Royal Navy do a tremendous and varied job, from defending our shores to fighting piracy and assisting with humanitarian operations. Their bravery and professionalism is an example to us all, and I am honoured to have the opportunity to see them at work first-hand over the next 12 months.”
Major Johnny Longbottom, organiser of the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme, said “Alan Mak is a strong champion for our Armed Forces and we are delighted he’s been selected to spend a year with the Royal Navy in order to understand the challenges today’s Navy personnel face. Havant has a strong Royal Navy tradition and I am sure Alan will be an excellent ambassador for local servicemen and veterans”