Labour Candidate backs HMS Plymouth name campaign

Luke Pollard, Labour's Parliamentary Candidate in Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, has welcomed and enthusiastically supported the campaign to name a new Type 26 Frigate HMS Plymouth.

Luke said: "I'm pleased to back efforts to see one of the new Type 26 frigates named HMS Plymouth.

"Naming a new frigate is not a party political issue and I've written to Mr Colvile to back the campaign and offer my support. The campaign is now stronger because it is truly cross-party and that can only be good for persuading Ministers and Admirals in Whitehall to name one of the new frigates after our city."

"What we now need to see is clarity on how the naming process will be handled. Alison Seabeck has agreed to table a Parliamentary Question to get the bottom of the naming process when the Commons returns next month."

Luke added: ""Whilst naming a new frigate after Plymouth is important we should not lose sight that the real win for our city will be if Ministers decide to base the frigates in Devonport. Campaigning to name a frigate HMS Plymouth must not distract from this effort to convince the Government that Devonport is the right location for the Royal Navy's new warships."