TYNWALD has given support for an armed forces covenant for the island.
Though lacking in legal force, the covenant is a pledge that current and former members of the armed forces in the island should be supported and not disadvantaged by their position.
Moving the order yesterday, Home Affairs Minister Juan Watterson, MHK for Rushen, said the island had a long and honourable tradition of citizens serving over the years in the British armed forces, adding the link between the Isle of Man and the North West was particularly strong.
‘There are 3,500 veterans in the Isle of Man and there is a close relationship between the Lancashire and Cumbrian Gunners who were granted the freedom of the borough of Douglas,’ he said.
He added the island had consistently given more per capita to the British Legion poppy appeal than any other region in the British Isles and had held the trophy marking this for the past 37 years.
‘I think they suspect us of having melted it down we have had it so long,’ he said.
‘The covenant is an official declaration of recognition from the government on behalf of the island and community for those who served in all the services.
‘It forms a framework to support services personnel, encouraging integration of service life into civilian life.’
One means of ensuring the terms of the covenant were observed, he said, was to appoint an armed services champion.
‘I am honoured the Council of Ministers has appointed me to be that champion,’ he said.
‘The idea is not to confer any advantage but merely to identify and remove any disadvantage.
Among general support, David Callister MLC said the covenant was an especially good idea if it supported veterans in looking for work after leaving the forces.
The proposal which was seconded by Castletown MHK Richard Ronan was unanimously accepted.