Mike Penning to visit Falkland Islands

Mike Penning offers to act as postman for any constituent who has friends or family serving in the Falkland Islands.

Mike Penning will be visiting the Falkland Islands in November as part of the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme. Mike joined the army as a boy soldier and served with the Grenadier Guards in Northern Ireland, Kenya and Germany, so he know only too well the problems of being away from family and loved ones for long periods.

“If anybody in Hemel Hempstead has friends or family serving in the Falkland Islands, I would be happy to help and take a gift or letter to deliver to them,” he said.

Mike will leave for the trip on 2nd November, so if anyone has a letter or parcel they should contact his office on 01442 450444 before the end of October.

Whilst in the Falkland Islands, Mike will meet some of the 2,000 members serving with the forces at Mount Pleasant. He will also visit Port Stanley to meet the new Governor, Alan Huckle, and local residents. Locals are worried about increasing moves by Argentina to dismantle the sovereignty agreement set up between the UK and Argentina in 1990.

In 2007 the islands will commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Falkland Islands Conflict and there will be special services of remembrance in the islands and in London.

Photo: As a former soldier and member of the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme, Mike holds the rank of honourary Major.