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Victory
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well done

well done

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50 Supporters

STEVEN B.
started this petition to
The Rt Hon Carwyn Jones, Cheryl Gillian, Welsh Secretary, Phillip Hammond, Secretary of State for Defence, Wales
the retention of 1st The Queens Dragoon Guards has been anounced well done to all involved and THANK YOU .


The Possible Disbandment or Amalgamation of The Welsh Cavalry

The Issue –

• The Defence Secretary confirmed on Monday 14th May 2012 that British Army regular manpower establishment will reduce considerably from over 100,000 to 82,000.

• This has implications for the 4 Welsh Regiments and Battalions (1st Battalion The Welsh Guards, 1st and 2nd Battalions the Royal Welsh Regiment and 1st The Queen’s Dragon Guards (The Welsh Cavalry) with the possibility of amalgamation or even disbandment of some of these historic units being a real possibility.

• It is understood that the Household Cavalry & Royal Armoured Corps will shrink from 11 to 9 regular Regiments.

• Within the Royal Armoured Corps there is an unwritten rule that the sequence of amalgamation is decided on an ‘it’s your turn’ basis that takes no account of Nationalistic affiliations. Under this rule the Welsh Cavalry are next in line for amalgamation or disbandment.

The Ministry of Defence have not yet announced which cap badges will amalgamated but under the ‘it’s your turn next’ basis The Welsh Cavalry are ‘at risk’.

Our Campaign Objective -

Awake the sleeping Dragon! Is the UK Coalition Government committed to the Union? Why haven’t the Welsh Assembly, Welsh politicians and the Welsh people been consulted about the possible disbandment or amalgamation of their Regiments? We clearly want to win the arguments, galvanise popular opinion, get the politicians to fight our corner, and stay onside with the Ministry of Defence. The hope is that by doing this we will secure the future of The Welsh Cavalry.



The Political Case -

Let us put to one side the historical commitment that the Welsh Cavalry have made to the safety and security of our nation. (Though clearly not forget that valued contribution going back to 1685).

Let us put to one side the blood that their gallant forebears shed in support of that cause, blood shed right right up to the present day. (Though obviously not forgetting and continuing to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice).

Excluding the Household Cavalry Regiment and The Parachute Regiment (which have a pan UK recruiting base) England recruits a total of 30 major units (8 Armoured Corps and 22 Infantry) Scotland 8 major units (2 Armoured Corps and 6 Infantry) and Wales 4 major units (1 Armoured Corps and 3 Infantry). Given that the Welsh contribute in the region of 10% of the British Army manning establishment this is probably a fair allocation of capbadges but any reduction below this figure would be a slight on the Welsh contribution. (NB The Wales/UK population ratio is 4.8% so the Welsh commitment to the British Army punches well above this ratio).

The with an impending independence vote in Scotland looming large this has caused the UK Coalition Government to reconsider their options with regards to amalgamations and perhaps the government could be looking for a perceived easier political option be sacrificing Welsh cap badges and manpower.

With the demise of the Welsh coal mining and steel industries, the closure of docks and other infrastructure centres the Welsh economy has been hit hard. Couple this with the cancellation of the South Cardiff/St Athan military Phase 2 Military Training project a further reduction in the military career choice for the Welsh youth compounds the issue. It would be insulting to the Welsh people to reward their loyalty and service by redundancies and cuts just because their nationalism is cooperative rather than confrontational.

The Capability Case -

Imagine you are the British Lions coach. It is the last ¼ of a tight Test against the All Blacks. The result hangs in the balance and you have to make a substitution to break the deadlock. Do you take off George North your key game breaking Welsh back because 'it's his turn to be substituted'? If you were a non competitive minis coach who wanted to give everyone a go you might but I thought the British Army was slightly more professional and cutting edge than that.

Let's be honest, the proposed Army 2020 re-structuring is as a direct consequence of Defence Budget mismanagement.

I would ask is an 'it's your turn next' solution a sound and cost effective mechanism for selecting who should be disbanded or amalgamated? Of course it isn't. That argument simply doesn't hold water. Would you consign the SAS to the dustbin on a 'it's your turn' mechanism? No of course you wouldn't. Now I'm not saying The Welsh Cavalry are the SAS (close maybe!) but as a consequence of 5 previous operational tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2003 (that’s 5 in 9 years including a war fighting operation and 2 extremely arduous, stressful and even more dangerous counter insurgency tours) the Welsh Cavalry are now at the cutting edge of the new Brigade Reconnaissance capability the British Army is developing. Light, deployable, potent and very cost effective...The Welsh Cavalry punch way above their weight. Why would you consign this capability that has so much future potential to the dustbin on an 'it's your turn' mechanism?

Let others justify and argue their case for remaining in the UK order of battle based on the moral political argument and the capability they bring to the table. We have argued ours.

Conclusion -

The message we need to get across is simple and needs to be raised as a banner headline in the towns, cities and valleys.

Is Wales is a valued and integral part of the United Kingdom?’

Why aren’t the Welsh Assembly, Welsh politicians and the Welsh people being consulted on the future of their regiments?

Why is the UK government hell bent on removing even more employment and career opportunities from the Welsh youth?

These are the key questions that should be raised by the media, the politicians, the Welsh public and the families and friends of serving Welsh Cavalry soldiers. Raise these questions on TV, on the Radio and in the newspapers. Make it a topic of conversation at work, in the pubs, clubs, supermarkets, and sports stadiums. Come on boys and girls get out there and ask the question. Make some noise.

Campaign Rules-

Keep the messaging pro-Welsh Cavalry, pro-Welsh Regiments and Battalions, and pro-Wales

Keep up the pressure with good arguments, without too much stridency and abuse.

Avoid providing solutions about what the Army should do. i.e. offering suggestions of amalgamations of other cap badges

EMAIL YOUR MP

You and as many local friends and family as you can rally email your local MP following some of the arguments shown above. You must put your name and address on the e-mail and make it clear you are their constituent. You don't have to make it clear that you're a QDG or ex-QDG just that you are just a local who's hopping mad at this possibility of the QDG being axed. Clearly if you are a wife, mother, father or close family member who is concerned then that fact should be included. List of MPs is shown below:

If you have the time ask for an appointment during constituency surgery hours and discuss the matter face to face.

If you cant make a face to face appointment ring the MP.

Please act now to save our regiment.

Thank you


DETAILS OF MPS LOCATED IN QDG RECRUITING AREAS OF WALES AND BORDER COUNTIES

WALES

LABOUR

Cardiff West :Kevin Brennan 020 7219 8156 brennank@parliament.uk simmonse@parliament.uk

Rhondda: Chris Bryant 020 7219 8315 bryantc@parliament.uk morganke@parliament.uk

Gower: Martin Caton 020 7219 5111 martin.caton.mp@parliament.uk daviesl@parliament.uk Swansea council

Cynon Valley: Ann Clwyd 020 7219 6609 ann.clwyd.mp@parliament.uk

Caerphilly: Wayne David 020 7219 8152 davidw@parliament.uk jonesli@parliament.uk Ministry of Defence 2005; PPS to Adam Ingram as Minister of State, Ministry of Defence 2005-06

Newport West :Paul Flynn 020 7219 3478 paulflynnmp@talk21.com

Aberavon: Hywel Francis 020 7219 0244 francish@parliament.uk steel, coal

Llanelli: Nia Griffith 020 7219 4903 nia.griffith.mp@parliament.uk 020 7219 4903

Neath: Peter Hain 020 7219 3925 hainp@parliament.uk

Delyn: ;David Hanson 020 7219 5064 david.hanson.mp@parliament.uk robbinsh@parliament.uk

Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney: Dai Havard 020 7219 8255 dai.havard.mp@parliament.uk toomeyd@parliament.uk Defence 2003-10
Ogmore: Huw Irranca-Davies 020 7219 4027 irrancadaviesh@parliament.uk
Swansea East: Siân James 020 7219 6954, 020 7219 1666 jamessc@parliament.uk

Clwyd South: Susan Elan Jones 020 7219 0920 susan.jones.mp@parliament.uk

Wrexham: Ian Lucas 020 7219 8346 lucasi@parliament.uk

Bridgend: Madeleine Moon 020 7219 0814 moonm@parliament.uk select committee Defence 2009- NATO Parliamentary Assembly 2010-

Political interests:defence

Newport East: Jessica Morden 020 7219 6213 mordenj@parliament.uk steel industry

Torfaen :Paul Murphy 020 7219 3463 paul.murphy.mp@parliament.uk Foreign Affairs 1995, Defence, Disarmament and Arms Control 1995-97 Joint Committee on National Security Strategy 2010-

Ynys Môn: Albert Owen 020 7219 8415 albert.owen.mp@parliament.uk

Vale of Clwyd: Chris Ruane Tel: 020 7219 3000 ruanec@parliament.uk Opposition Whip 2011-

Blaenau Gwent: Nick Smith 020 7219 7018 nick.smith.mp@parliament.uk

Pontypridd: Owen Smith 020 7219 7128, 020 7219 1287 owen.smith.mp@parliament.uk

Alyn and Deeside: Mark Tami 020 7219 8174 tamim@parliament.uk

Labour/Co-Operative

Swansea West: Geraint Davies 020 7219 7166 geraint.davies.mp@parliament.uk info@geraintdavies.org

Islwyn: Christopher Evans 020 7219 7091 chris.evans.mp@parliament.uk

Cardiff South and Penarth: Alun Michael 020 7219 5980 alunmichaelmp@parliament.uk edwardssg@parliament.uk Cardiff City Council 1973-89

Plaid Cymru

Carmarthen East and Dinefwr :Jonathan Edwards 020 7219 3000 jonathan.edwards.mp@parliament.uk

Dwyfor Meirionnydd: Elfyn Llwyd 020 7219 3555 elfyn.llwyd.mp@parliament.uk jenkinssh@parliament.uk Plaid Cymru Spokesperson for: Defence 2001-06

Arfon : Hywel Williams 020 7219 8150 hywel.williams.mp@parliament.uk

Liberal Democrat

Ceredigion: Mark Williams 020 7219 8469 williamsmf@parliament.uk

Brecon and Radnorshire Roger Williams:020 7219 8145 williamsr@parliament.uk info@rogerwilliams.org.uk

Cardiff Central: Jenny Willott 020 7219 8418 willottj@parliament.uk jenny@jennywillott.com Assistant Whip 2012-

Conservative

Aberconwy: Guto Bebb 020 7219 7002 guto.bebb.mp@parliament.uk office@gutobebbmp.co.uk

Vale of Glamorgan : Alun Cairns 020 7219 5232 alun.cairns.mp@parliament.uk Political interests defence,media & sport
Swansea)
Preseli Pembrokeshire: Stephen Crabb 020 7219 6518 stephen.crabb.mp@parliament.uk jonesad@parliament.uk Assistant Government Whip 2010-

Monmouth: David Davies 020 7219 8360 david.davies.mp@parliament.uk

Montgomeryshire: Glyn Davies 020 7219 3806 glyn.davies.mp@parliament.uk pamela.williams@parliament.uk

Cardiff North: Jonathan Evans 020 7219 7205 jonathan.evans.mp@parliament.uk vivienne.ward@parliament.uk PPS to Michael Mates as Minister of State for Northern Ireland 1992-94

Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire: Simon Hart 020 7219 7228 simon.hart.mp@parliament.uk

Clwyd West: David Jones 020 7219 8070 jonesdi@parliament.uk owenj@parliament.uk

CHESHIRE

Conservative

Congleton: Fiona Bruce 020 7219 7042 fiona.bruce.mp@parliament.uk

Weaver Vale : Graham Evans 020 7219 7183 mail@grahamevansmp.com

City of Chester :Stephen Mosley 020 7219 7207 stephen.mosley.mp@parliament.uk stephen@chestermp.com

Eddisbury: Stephen O’Brien 020 7219 6315 obriens@parliament.uk

Tatton: George Osborne 020 7219 8214 george.osborne.mp@parliament.uk

Macclesfield: David Rutley 020 7219 7106 david.rutley.mp@parliament.uk

Crewe and Nantwich: Edward Timpson 020 7219 8027 timpsone@parliament.uk

Labour

Warrington North : Helen Jones 020 7219 4048 jonesh@parliament.uk

Ellesmere Port: Andrew Miller 020 7219 3580 millera@parliament.uk

Halton : Derek Twigg 020 7219 1039 derek.twigg.mp@parliament.uk

Warrington South : David Mowat 020 7219 7178 david.mowat.mp@parliament.uk

HEREFORDSHIRE

Hereford and South Herefordshire Jesse Norman 020 7219 7084 jesse.norman.mp@parliament.uk

North Herefordshire Bill Wiggin Tel: 020 7219 8175, 020 7219 2394 bill.wiggin.mp@parliament.uk Assistant Government Whip 2010-

Political interests Defence,

SHROPSHIRE

Conservative

Ludlow: Philip Dunne 020 7219 2388 philip.dunne.mp@parliament.uk philipdunne@ludlowconservatives.com Assistant Government Whip 2010-

Shrewsbury & Atcham: Daniel Kawczynski 020 7219 6249 kawczynskid@parliament.uk mail@daniel4shrewsbury.co.uk

North Shropshire :Owen Paterson 020 7219 5185 patersono@parliament.uk owen@shellbrook.demon.co.uk

Wrekin: Mark Pritchard 020 7219 8494 pritchardm@parliament.uk Political interests Defence
Labour
Telford: David Wright 020 7219 8331 wrightda@parliament.uk

………………………

Other

Devizes Claire Perry 020 7219 7050 claire.perry.mp@parliament.uk PPS to Philip Hammond as Secretary of State for Defence 2011-

Posted (Updated )