I WOULD like to publicly thank the County Gazette for its prominent support for keeping the Royal Marines in Taunton, through its ‘Keep the Camp’ campaign.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) will be making a statement early next year on the paper ‘Defence Estate Strategy’ in which it will review the progress of the UK defence estate to meet the aims of the paper.

Obviously, I do not know what conclusions the MoD has come to, but I am confident that the ‘Keep the Camp’ has had an influence on the outcome; the ‘mood music’ is good.

Both the borough and county councils have written to central government supporting the case for keeping the unit in Taunton and Keep the Camp is supported by our local politicians.

READ MORE: Your County Gazette launches campaign to keep 40 Commando at Norton Manor Camp

The campaign was a timely intervention at a critical stage at the conclusion of the decision making process.

I was a great believer in the phlegmatic British approach of ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’, as opposed to our more excitable neighbours across the Channel.

However, the performance of our representatives who inhabit the ‘Westminster Village’, and who take these decisions on our behalf, currently inspires little confidence.

Thankfully, we still have a free press and it has proved to be good way of exerting influence on issues important to our community.

LT COL (RETD) KEVIN DE VAL