EASTLEIGH MP BACKS BATTLE OF BRITAIN MEMORIAL FLIGHT

12.14.26pm GMT Mon 25th Jan 2010

Eastleigh MP Chris Huhne has added his support to the campaign to save the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight from being axed in any defence cuts.

Mr Huhne said that the flight was a crucial link to the most glorious episode in the RAF's history and was particularly important to Eastleigh and Southampton because of the Spitfire.

The Eastleigh MP urged people to sign the 10 Downing Street petition to make clear the strength of feeling on this issue.

There are five airworthy Spitfires in the memorial flight including an aircraft that flew in the Battle of Britain, and the iconic plane took its test flight from Eastleigh airfield, now Southampton Airport.

"Morale and pride in achievement are a crucial part of success in conflict, and it would be a terribly short-sighted move if the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight were to be axed in any defence cuts" said Mr Huhne.

"The flight costs less than 0.1 per cent of the defence budget, but brings pleasure and pride to thousands who are both associated with the Royal Air Force and who are merely thankful for its achievements at this crucial period in the defence of our freedoms".

"I feel particularly strongly about this because my own grandfather was a fighter pilot who joined the Royal Flying Corps and then the Royal Air Force, being awarded the Military Cross and the Distinguished Flying Cross".