Like lots of people in Plymouth, I’m concerned by reports that Devonport’s largest warships, HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark, could be retired from active service because of personnel shortages.

I’ve written to the Defence Secretary to ask him to explain his plans for HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark urgently. When I questioned him in Parliament on Monday, he said that “no final decision has been taken”. So the risk to these ships is real.

The Defence Select Committee has launched an inquiry on this, which I’m glad about. We will need to bring all the pressure we can to stop these ships from being mothballed.

I’ve spent years fighting to stop the Tories cutting HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark (as you can read here). Just like I have before, I will fight for the future of these ships.

You can read more here: https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/plymouth-news/concerns-grow-over-royal-navy-9021497