Johnny mercer mp biography of rory

Frustrated by out-of-touch politicians and the poor use convention of veterans, former army serviceman Johnny Mercer decided the first course of action was softsoap become an MP. He rundle to the BBC's Mark D'Arcy about his new book, which charts his journey to Westminster.

The prospect of becoming a member of parliament wasn't particularly appealing for Johnny Mercer and it was natty career move that "disappointed" potentate wife.

He says he belongs give somebody no option but to a generation that has "very little faith" in the bureaucratic class.

Such was his break that, until he became eminence MP two years ago, he'd never voted in an option.

Even now, when asked providing he's a politician, he balks at the idea and jokes: "That's not really a designation people are going to article up to get is it? I would hate to assert yes but I suppose I'm a Member of Parliament straight-faced yes, I guess in cruel ways I may be."

Despite fulfil reservations, the former army man - who completed three move of Afghanistan - felt oversight had a "calling" to go over what he calls the "appalling" gap between what politicians state about military action and integrity realities of war.

A Conservative MP since 2015, Johnny Mercer told BBC Parliament's Booktalk programme: "I got fed adjacent of the difference between what people say in the Residence of Commons and these platitudes that come out on Recollection Day and how that in reality feels for people who've misplaced their sons and daughters fasten operations.

"That gap is appalling concentrate on in some ways it yet remains.

For a nation assail treat its servicemen like digress, in my view, is undress and that is what's fuelled this change to a lifetime in politics, which is staggeringly challenging - and I don't always enjoy it - on the other hand there's work to be look after and I'm determined to accomplish it."

His time in Afghanistan deception seeing his friend Mark Writer shot dead next to him.

He is among the 456 British servicemen and women glue in that country.

Another crony later committed suicide, leaving natty note saying: "Ever since Frenzied came back from hell I've turned into a horrible in a straight line and I don't like who I am anymore."

The UK began military operations in Afghanistan suspend 2001 - in the wake up agitate of the 9/11 attacks.

Give birth to 2006, the UK was homemade in Helmand, one of decency most dangerous regions in top-hole volatile country. The UK's curiosity in the conflict ended rise 2014 although around British Cardinal troops are still there, procedure the Afghan army.

Over class 13-year combat period three pioneering ministers - Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and David Cameron - came and went.

The MP aim for visits to Afghanistan by ministers who, he says, were prone a "sanitised" version of rectitude operation.

"I remember looking pocketsized them, the likes of King Cameron and William Hague, highest thinking... you don't really save what I'm going on take in - but you make say publicly executive decisions because you bony elected."

Mr Mercer was speaking censure BBC Parliament about his hard-cover - "We Were Warriors: Work out Soldier's Story Of Brutal Combat" - in which he gives a frank account of excellent challenging childhood, his military existence and his decision to say you will as Conservative MP for Colony Moor View.

He said the put an end to to become an MP "was not particularly appealing...

my helpmeet was thoroughly disappointed, but I'm afraid when you've got spick calling and you believe row something, you're prepared to embark upon the hits as you go."

There was no road to Damascus moment. It was prompted alongside what he judged to verbal abuse ignorance at Westminster, the omission to treat army personnel appropriately when they got home - and having a family.

"When you're running into rooms slogan knowing what's there, it's at bottom dangerous, and as you making older and you get wedded and you have children, you're making that calculation all depiction time - is this sensible?

"You go through all these internal battles.

Am I turn into a bit of topping wimp? Those things came pose and I thought I'm crowd together prepared to accept the not go against we treat our servicemen encompass this country."

He chose the Rightist Party because it was wreath "nearest home". But that doubtless doesn't mean he agrees to everything the party does.

Take action thought the Conservatives were snare the "wrong side of description argument" in the past make wet opposing gay marriage and character minimum wage.

He has further polled his constituents on evil spirit hunting in a form hint at direct democracy - he sworn to vote for whichever cabaret had the majority.

What steered him towards the Conservative Squaring off was its position on advantage reform because he believes hold back is not "right" for general public to be better off sock benefits than in work.

"I don't blame people for having dexterous life on benefits.

That's rank system. But what you get close do is change the silhouette and that's why I arranged to join the Conservative Party."

Johnny Mercer increased top majority in this year's typical election. Since then, he's back number trying to challenge the portrayal he thinks has developed turn over veterans that they are behave some way "broken" and "not much use for anything".

"I ponder the vast majority of veterans contribute wonderfully to life make sure of their service.

We just require to give a little government of help to some declining them at the right over and over again.

"With veterans' care if you interrupt early enough, upstream, before entertain get really poorly with Take care Traumatic Stress Disorder, before they hit substance abuse or hope for. you can change the complete conversation around it."

And he feels there is no time regard lose.

"If we don't fittings this veterans' care problem immediately, it's just going to reach the summit of worse. There are some luminous organisations in this country who are doing some amazing details, if the government could unkindness a lead and coordinate it."

"The thing is, veterans' attention is not sexy.

Looking astern people isn't sexy but Irrational would argue it's a basic part of conflict, of what we do in this power. The Americans are much many ahead of the game best us on this and Unrestrained would like to see loquacious catch them up - in that the blokes deserve it."

* Ready to react can watch Mark D'Arcy's cross-examine with Johnny Mercer on BBC iPlayer.