MY PLEDGE TO TROOPS

IMAGINE, the next time you walk down the street, that every step you take might kill you - and then you'll know what it's like to go on patrol around here.

Those were the words of a young Guardsman I spoke to in Helmand. And he couldn't have been clearer about the awesome task we ask of our brave troops every day.

I pledge that with the Conservatives they'll get whatever resources they need, even if that means savings elsewhere in the defence budget - and that we'll double the personal operational allowance for our troops to £4,800.

We'll also bring closer our military effort to the excellent work of our civilian development staff, who I saw too in Afghanistan. We must win the peace as well as the war.

We must above all care for those injured and mentally scarred, and support the families of those killed.

Today we announce the introduction of new 'Services Scholarships' for the children of those who have died on active duty since 1990.

A previous generation built 'Homes for Heroes'. I want this generation to give families who have given us everything the chance to aspire to a better future.

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