The most important thing I did at Westminster today was plant a marker in the Constituency Garden of Remembrance in Parliament (just in front of Big Ben).

I want to thank the charities and organisations who support our service personnel, their families, and our veterans, and those that do the vital work of reminding us of the heroism of those who died in service to our country and who educate us on the horrors of war.

One such organisation is the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, who ensure that the stories of courage and sacrifice are etched into history in quiet corners of our nation, and right across the world.

At one of the sites that they maintain in my constituency, the Churchyard of Colinton Parish Church, you will find alongside British soldiers and airmen, the grave of Private Olaf Vennesland, a Norwegian soldier.

His presence reminds us that Britain didn’t stand alone in its darkest hour. People from across the Commonwealth and the world came to our aid and gave their lives in defence of freedom and democracy.

Nearby to this site is Napier University’s Craiglockhart campus, once Craiglockhart Hospital, a military psychiatric hospital during World War I. In an era of harsh treatments, Craiglockhart focused on listening and reassurance, recognizing that these men had faced extraordinary circumstances.

This unique environment brought together two extraordinary minds: Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon.

A testament to the human cost of war, Owen’s poetry shines a light on the conditions faced by the regular soldier in the War and strips back the glorification of that conflict, providing us in this place invaluable motivation and cause to never allow such circumstances to occur again.

Nearby are Redford and Dreghorn Barracks. I am proud to stand here today as a representative of many members of the Armed Forces and their families, based there. I want to take this opportunity to thank them again for their service.

We must do more to support those in our Armed Forces. Sadly, many of those serving our country find themselves in accommodation that is not fit for purpose, and I look forward to seeing the work that this Government will do to ensure our service personnel are equipped with the best possible equipment and training and that they are supported with quality housing and services.

As Remembrance Day approaches, we must prepare ourselves across faiths, cultures and backgrounds to honour the service and sacrifice made by those who have fallen in defence of our nation and its values. We must also use the occasion as an opportunity to recommit ourselves to supporting our armed forces and veterans, and to play our part in building a world focused on peace and justice, not war.