Manchester City Council pledges its support for the campaign to save the 2nd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Fusiliers from plans to disband the historic battalion.
The Ministry of Defence have proposed plans to abolish the 2nd Battalion as part of cost saving measures that are currently being recommended to slash troop numbers from 102,000 to 80,000 as budgets are cut across the British Army.
The Second Fusiliers recruit soldiers from the Greater Manchester area and have gained a well-earned reputation as a superbly trained and hardened Infantry Battalion that has recently served tours of both Iraq and Afghanistan – but the Fusiliers have also served in every major campaign dating back to 1674.
Despite currently being the best manned battalion in the army, the only one which is set to grow in the next six months and that with the best deployable strength, the 2nd Battalion has been chosen to be disbanded and reposted to other battalions who have not shown the consistent success of the Fusiliers.
At the Manchester City Council Executive meeting, 25 July, each member of the executive signed the petitions that will be presented to the Ministry of Defence and the Chief of the General Staff to reconsider these plans and support the success of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.
Cllr Sue Murphy, Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Manchester City Council stand firmly behind the campaign to save the Second Fusiliers which has seen the loyal service of Greater Manchester enlisted soldiers for many years, who have trained hard to become the incredibly well trained and disciplined heroes of conflicts around the world.
“Axeing the battalions of the British Army is unfair to the proud soldiers who have pledged their unwavering allegiance to their regiment, who will now undoubtedly be deployed to other battalions across the army. But the plans are also an insult to the memories of the fallen Greater Manchester soldiers throughout history who have given their lives to ensure the protection of us, and others around the globe.”
To join the HM Government e-petition visit: http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/35724
To join the Manchester Evening News campaign visit: www.menmedia.co.uk