SOLDIERS are to be allowed to use their military ID as proof of age when buying a drink – thanks to a campaign started in Warrington.
The decision by the Government will make a big difference to members of the armed forces who were being refused admission to clubs and pubs because they could not prove their age.
Warrington resident Lance Reah, a former Coldstream Guardsman, decided to take the matter up with Warrington South MP David Mowat.
Mr Mowat (right) tabled an Early Day Motion to highlight how an irrational policy was damaging the moral of armed forces and it quickly gained support among other MPs and soldiers’ charities across the country.
The campaign was taken up by a national newspaper and Mr Mowat met with Defence Secretary Lim Fox, who gave the necessary assurances that the policy change would be implemented.
Mr Mowat said “I am delighted this government has decided to honour the promises that were made during this election campaign, so that our heroes can now have a drink without the embarrassment of being turned away for not having, through no fault of their own, what venues deem to be official ID.”
Mr Reah said “Our soldiers must receive the recognition they deserve both when they wear a uniform and when they don’t. I am delighted that the new forward thinking MOD/Government appears to have their finger on the pulse of our forces’ welfare needs. This relatively small change in policy will have a dramatic effect on our troops, and will be welcomed by a huge proportion of our Armed Forces aged between 18 and 25.”
