Speaker’s Tribute to the Cadet Forces
12 July 2010
Just days after the Royal Review, cadets and adult volunteers were invited to a special reception in the Palace of Westminster hosted by the Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow MP.
The event was inspired by one of Mr Speaker’s constituents who impressed upon him the need for continued support of the Cadet Forces, especially in this, their 150th year. Assistant Chief of Defence Staff (Reserves and Cadets), Major General Greg Smith QVRM TD DL, gave a speech of thanks to Mr Speaker’s recognition of the cadets and paid tribute to the contributions cadets and adult volunteers make to their communities.
Finally London’s three Lord Lieutenants’ cadets spoke about what the cadet movement means to them, which all present regarded as the highlight of the evening. Cadets and volunteers spent the rest of the evening mingling and meeting new Government ministers and MPs, with notable guests including: Rt Hon Theresa May MP, Home Secretary; Rt Hon Dr Liam Fox MP (pictured above with cadets), Secretary of State for Defence; Tim Loughton MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Children & Families; Andrew Robathan MP, Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans; Rt Hon Cheryl Gillan MP, Secretary of State for Wales; and John Hayes MP, Minister of State for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning. The cadets were also joined by former Defence Minister, Rt Hon Bob Ainsworth MP.
Thanks are due to Mr Speaker for his generous hospitality and use of his splendid official apartments, which he joked, citing historical accounts, were considered merely “adequate” accommodation for a gentleman.