Rayleigh and Wickford’s MP Mark Francois recently joined fellow East Anglian MPs to welcome the local Royal Anglian Regiment to Westminster.
Mark, who served as a TA officer with the Royal Anglian Regiment during the Cold War, talked to the soldiers about their recent return from Afghanistan where they saw some fierce fighting, in amongst others places, the notorious Sangin valley.
Mark then attended a briefing for around twenty Parliamentarians, (including James Duddridge the MP for Southend West), conducted by General Sir John McColl the Colonel of the Regiment on the current situation in Afghanistan and then, along with other East Anglian MPs, Mark took the soldiers into the House of Commons Strangers Bar for a drink.
Speaking about the visit, Mark Francois said:
""I am glad to have had the opportunity to meet with soldiers from the Royal Anglian Regiment, including those from “C” “Essex” Company of the first battalion, (“The Vikings”). I am also grateful to be able to learn first hand about the work the Regiment has been doing in Afghanistan, to help contribute towards the reconstruction of that country as well as our own national security.
When the Royal Anglian regiment recently paraded in Southend they were given a warm welcome by Essex people and I am pleased that their MPs were able to welcome them to Parliament as well.”