John Baron MP holds ‘War Council’ with fellow MPs over cuts to 2RRF

MP raises issue at Prime Minister’s Questions today

Today John Baron MP hosted a meeting of interested MPs regarding the Government’s decision to axe 2^nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. This was announced in July, and is part of the Government’s programme of cuts to the Army. John disagrees with these cuts in general, but in particular to the axing of 2RRF given that he has evidence that more poorly-recruited Scottish battalions were saved. John raised this issue at Prime Minister’s Questions today.

John said,

“We had a very productive meeting, and agreed that 2RRF was alone in being cut for reasons other than just military criteria. The Secretary of State’s letter to me dated 14^th August makes clear that two Scottish battalions would have been axed were this the case. As it happens, no Scottish battalions are being cut.”

“As a cross-party group of MPs, we are now planning to go on the front foot here in Parliament in a campaign to save 2RRF. This will include questions and possible debates in the House of Commons, Freedom of Information requests, and a possible Judicial Review.”

“Having raised the issue at Prime Minister’s Questions today, we have already secured a meeting with the Secretary of State for Defence, and will press our case then.”

Notes to Editors:

• For further information, please refer to press release, ‘John Baron MP: Secretary of State’s letter and meeting proves 2RRF cut is a political decision’ [30^th August 2012].
• The letter makes a major omission in failing to recognise London as a regional recruiting area for the Fusiliers – traditionally one of the Regiment’s strongest, and demographically sound over the next 10 years.

• In fact no Scottish Battalions are being cut.  One only will be reduced in size and it will not lose its cap badge or its Colours.
• If 2RRF is cut, Warwickshire will be the only English and Welsh County without a direct Regimental Association via a local Battalion. Field Marshall Montgomery served with the Royal Warwickshire Fusiliers who were absorbed into 2 RRF. The Fusiliers’ Warwickshire TA Battalion was axed in previous defence cuts.

• The Government’s insistence that no cap badges are to go makes no sense when only 6 years ago 4 cap badges and 6 Battalions amalgamated to form the five Battalions of the RIFLES Regiment, which is held up as an example of best practice by the Commander Land Forces.  Single Battalion Regiments find it harder to meet the operational flexibility required and to offer their officers and soldiers a varied and demanding career profile.

• The Government’s justification for capping Regimental losses to one Battalion is that any more would be disruptive. This does not withstand scrutiny.