Press release: Future Lynx gets Conservative support

Image by ianrory via Flickr

Westland's Future Lynx helicopter is the only game in town, according to Conservative Shadow Minister for Defence Procurement, Gerald Howarth MP.

Speaking on Friday at the Yeovil Conservatives' Annual Dinner in Ilminster, Mr Howarth, who had earlier in the day visited the Westland factory, said:

"The shortage of helicopter airlift in theatre is clearly impacting on the effectiveness of military operations on the ground in Afghanistan and Iraq.  It is vital we improve our battlefield helicopter capability, and currently the only game in town is the Future Lynx.  In addition, the Royal Navy desperately needs to replace its ageing Lynx fleet.

"Our Armed Forces are paying the price for Labour's catastrophic £1.4 billion cut in the helicopter budget in 2004."

Mr Howarth also told the guests that the Conservatives want to ensure that the UK has a strong defence industrial base to support our Armed Forces whom he praised for their courage and commitment.

Yeovil's Conservative Parliamentary Candidate, Kevin Davis, said how delighted he was to have the Shadow Procurement Minister's support for the Future Lynx.  He said:

"This gives the lie to suggestions that the Conservatives do not support this project which is vital to Westlands and which plays such an important part in the economy of the Yeovil constituency."

At the end of the evening a collection was made for Help for Heroes, the tri-service charity which has already raised £14 million for the rehabilitation centre at Headley Court and other improvements in the care of those injured on operations.

See previous blog entries on this subject at:

http://kevindavis.wordpress.com/2008/07/22/lib-dems-to-lead-cuts-at-westland-agusta/

http://kevindavis.wordpress.com/2008/07/03/giant-carrier-spending-what-now-for-westland/