Falklands - 25 Years On

25 years after the end of the conflict and the Queen on Thursday laid the 255th stone at the Falklands Memorial Chapel. Each stone has been brought to the UK from the Falklands - one for every member of the UK forces who died.

Many in the Labour Party campaigned against this war, and though I am by nature a pacifist, this war represented something that as a child of 10 I thought was important and still do now, an adult of 35. That is simply that the wishes of the people, the desire for freedom and to live under the rule of their will is paramount. If a bully takes away that freedom by invading and threatening the population, then we have the moral duty to defend and reclaim that will of the people. The Falklands today are prospering not just because they are an island that remembers its heritage and national identity, but also because of the sacrifices of the 255 British service personnel who lost their lives.

Britain in 2007 is a very different place to 1982...we have lost so much of our pride in our nation and no-longer feel for the sacrifices of our armed forces. We must reclaim this and regain who we are as a nation; how else can we honour all those amongst us that stood up for ideals of justice and democracy, not just in 1982 but 1914 and 1939 as well.

I for one want to say simply: thank you to all the 255 people who gave their lives for ideals and freedoms we take for granted and to those wounded in the conflict. I am truly sorry that you faced the horrors you did...your sacrifice is not forgotten.

I also pray for the Argentinian forces who lost their lives, the families of both nations who grieve what is no longer with them in 2007. Taking of life is a tortuous pursuit, one that needs to be morally acceptable. While I believe the Falklands War was a morally justified war, Britain, is agonising about a conflict that is not...a war in Iraq that is removing the foundations of our morality and taking away the soul of our nation.

To our politicians, remember our fallen heroes and do not forget the ones who need a helping hand, from the horrors of war to the coldness of the streets. Let not one of our heroes down...for you should be carrying them on your shoulders.