John Healey said his son’s decision to join the British army reservists has allowed him to better understand the real-life impact of decisions he may make in a ministerial capacity.
He said: “It weighs heavily on me as defence secretary, knowing that if we face conflict, it will be my decision to send British forces and personnel into situations which put them at risk. It’s a responsibility of the post, but now it’s personal as well.”
His son, Alex, who is in his late twenties, is now an infantryman in the army reserves – a decision Mr Healey says he took in the days after Russia invaded Ukraine.
This story is from the November 10, 2024 edition of The Independent.
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This story is from the November 10, 2024 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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