Jack in Afghanistan
In September 2008 your local prospective Conservative MP Jack Lopresti went off to Afghanistan to serve with the 29 Commando in Helmand Province.
Jack is proud to serve in 266 Commando Battery GVA (V) as a gunner and jumped at the chance to go on operations in Afghanistan with 29 Commando as part of 3 Commando Brigade.
Jack said ‘It has been a life-long ambition to serve both my community and my country in Parliament, but I also believe passionately in what we are trying to achieve in the fight against terrorism in Afghanistan and elsewhere.’
He continued ‘We now live in a world where all too often politicians end up sending our young men and women into combat without having actually been to war themselves. I think my ability to contribute to future debates about such decisions and being able to stand up for and represent the interests of our fighting men and women will be greatly enhanced by seeing action myself.
Jack spent that Christmas and New Year serving in Afghanistan and returned safely to his family in Filton early in the spring. Whilst he was away he was in contact with local councillors and continued carrying out casework. He also kept an eye on the government’s plans to downgrade Frenchay and to build 33,000 houses in the area.