Salisbury to host Armed Forces Day, says prime minister

Salisbury will host next year’s national Armed Forces Day, Theresa May has announced, in tribute to how the city dealt with the aftermath of the nerve agent attack in March.The prime minister attended this year’s event yesterday in Llandudno, north Wales, where she hailed the military’s work in dealing with the poisoning.“The military response to the nerve agent attack [in Salisbury] has been remarkable,” she said. “By holding Armed Forces Day here next year, we are also celebrating the tremendous resilience and great spirit of Salisbury and showing clearly it is open for business.“It’s a great city, enriched by military history and a wonderful place to visit.”Thousands of people lined the street to greet May and Princess Anne as they entered Venue Cymru.May applauded and Princess Anne saluted military personnel as they marched past to mark the start of the event.Brass bands from the armed forces played as each took it in turns to salute Princess Anne in the military parade along Llandudno promenade.Jeremy Corbyn also praised Britain’s veterans and service personnel and said that the UK should do more to recognise their sacrifices through better pay and public services.“Every day we must remember what you do for our safety and security,” the Labour leader said in a video message. “This work means you spend so much time away from your families and friends.”“And for all your sacrifices and all that you have done for us, we must do so much more for you,” he added. “Labour strongly supports the armed forces covenant by which this country promises that those who have served and their families, are treated fairly.”Salisbury will also host the 2019 Invictus Games, a sporting tournament founded by the Duke of Sussex for wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans from more than a dozen countries.