Being born into a military family, this hoo-haa about the public wearing of uniforms by the Services is close to my heart.

I am proud of my dad, my sister and my brother-in-law.  They have served their country at home and abroad, in places such as Basra and Pristina.  And they should be able to walk down the street — any street — with their heads high, saying “I served you”.   

Because if they can’t, what they have done and still do, and what our parents and their parents did all over the world in the last hundred years, is meaningless. We, the people they protect and serve, are duty-bound to honour and respect them. 

So I say, wear your uniforms with pride, and if any bastard has it in for you, you have a sidearm for a reason.  And I’ll gladly be your witness.