MP backs aerospace and defence sectors
Image courtesy Farnborough Aerospace Consortium (FAC)
Above: Alex Baker MP speaking at the Farnborough Aerospace Consortium conference
In the election last year, Alex Baker became the first Labour MP and first female MP to represent Farnborough and Aldershot in Hampshire – home to the UK’s aerospace and defence industries.
She was speaking at the annual Farnborough Aerospace Consortium (FAC) conference addressing a room full of industry figures.
She said that her constituency is the “birthplace of aviation, the home of the British Army and home to groundbreaking aerospace companies, defence contractors and a highly skilled workforce.
“This is a place where cutting-edge technologies are developed, and national security is enhanced. Pick up a copy of the Government’s Strategic Defence Review and not only will you find references to Dragonfire but also Nexus – both capabilities built right here.
“Join the dots, and we have a truly unique, world-beating cluster – one that is not only steeped in history but also deeply invested in shaping the future of defence and aerospace.”
Dragonfire is a laser directed-energy weapon currently being deployed in Ukraine, and Nexus is digital infrastructure that enables fighter jets to make timely decisions while in the air.
From her work around the private sector, she also stated that she “knows how important it is for the private sector to get on with the job it does best.”
She spoke about the importance of “getting capital flowing” and that investment in R&D is “so, so important”.
Alex used as an example the removal of tariffs on aerospace components to demonstrate how the ‘special relationship’ with the US was delivering for the UK.
She also urged businesses to raise any issues with her and acknowledged that there was still “much to do”.
Baker sits on the Defence Committee and on two defence-related All Party Parliamentary Groups and is a graduate of the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme.
She said afterwards: “FAC are a fantastic regional trade association that work with its members and then speak to me and other MPs and advocate for them.
“They ensure we understand the challenges of the industry so that we can in turn make sure that government is on these issues and can do the things that are going to help our defence and aerospace industries to be as successful as possible.”
Alan Fisher, Chief Executive Officer of FAC, said: “It was encouraging to hear an MP back aerospace and defence so enthusiastically.
“The sector is under pressure and our members welcome support from those in government.
“We have taken Alex to visit a number of our members and I know she understands the issues they are facing and her background means she understand the private sector.
“Our conference heard from a good cross-section of the industry and issues were raised and discussed.
“Many of our members work in the supply chain and face a raft of problems which we, as a trade body, do our best to help rectify.”
