The first Armed Forces Day is 27 June 2009, and is an opportunity for the nation to show our support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community. See the official website here.

I think that there has only been one year, 1968, in the past century when British Forces have officially not been involved in conflict. So for more than forty years brave men and women from Britain have been putting themselves in danger, defending the interests of our nation.

We should look after our service personnel better, so here’s a thought; if we want to really honour them, let’s make a start by improving their living accommodation.

Far too many of the people we expect to kill and be killed for our nation are housed in military accommodation that would disgrace a Nairobi slum. A few years ago the National Audit Office (NAO) reported that many of the military homes are in need of new kitchens, bathrooms, electrics, loft insulation, as well as basic repair and redecoration. Read more about it here.

So come on Gordon Brown, show that you really honour our brave armed forces and ensure that this shameful situation is dealt with properly.