All Fife MPs back RAF Leuchars – Joint statement (Shetland Liberal Democrats)

Shetland Liberal Democrats <info@libdems.org.uk>

All Fife MPs back RAF Leuchars – Joint statement

December 12, 2010 12:01 PM
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats

All four Fife Members of Parliament, Sir Menzies Campbell, Gordon Brown, Lindsay Roy and Thomas Docherty, have come out in support of the retention of RAF Leuchars and have called on the Defence

Secretary to confirm that the future of the base is secure "as a matter of urgency".

In the significant joint statement they said:

"As the four MPs representing Fife we have come together on a cross-party basis to voice our deep concern about recent speculation over the future of RAF Leuchars.

"It is our shared belief that the role RAF Leuchars plays in the defence of the United Kingdom is of profound strategic importance. To put its future in doubt is to threaten the security of the United Kingdom.

"Leuchars is uniquely positioned and equipped to fulfil its task as the primary air defence base for Scotland. This is a duty for which it has been thoroughly prepared at considerable cost and which it has executed with unwavering professionalism and dedication for decades.

"The decision to deploy three squadrons of Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft at Leuchars was taken based on long-term strategic considerations. Nothing has changed which would undermine the

rationale of this deployment. Any change to the status quo because of short-term economic reasons would run counter to the conclusions of the recent strategic defence review.

"The base is more than a fighter station. It is a long-standing centre of defence excellence for, among others, 71 TA Engineer Regiment, 58 Squadron of the Royal Air Force Regiment, the Royal Auxiliary Air Force and the regimental headquarters of the RAF cadets in Scotland.

"The professionalism and commitment of the military personnel stationed at RAF Leuchars has been proved in the Falklands, Iraq and Afghanistan. The traditions and history of the base have become a badge of pride for the people of Fife. The men and women who serve at RAF Leuchars, together with their families, have become integral and much valued members of our community.

"We call upon the Secretary of State for Defence to confirm that the future of RAF Leuchars is secure as a matter of urgency."