Newcastle Liberal Democrats give thanks on Armed Forces Day
On this Armed Forces Day, 27 June 2026, the first to be marked at Newcastle Civic Centre for 4 years (after the Labour administration stopped holding an event), there was an excellent turn out from Newcastle Liberal Democrat councillors.
The Council's new Armed Forces Champion, Cllr David Down of Castle Ward, joined the Lord Mayor, Cllr Henry Gallagher, and many other of our Lib Dem and also Green colleagues from across the Council to pay their respects to our armed forces community alongside veterans, cadets, serving military personnel, and the Deputy Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear, Colonel Christopher Tearney.
Despite their rhetoric, there were scant few Reform councillors in attendance to honour our military and service people.
Wards represented at the event by our Lib Dem councillors included Castle, Dene and South Gosforth, Fawdon and West Gosforth, Parklands and North Gosforth, and West Fenham.
Councillor for West Fenham, and Cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy and Skills, Owen Burbidge said:
“As somebody with strong military collections it’s great to have been able to join colleagues at the first Armed Forces day for a few years. Paying tribute to our service people, veterans and cadets, whose dedication and sacrifice protect our country and the freedoms we enjoy.”
Steve Psallidas, councillor for Dene and South Gosforth, had the opportunity during the event to learn about the SSAFA charity, the UK's oldest national tri-service military charity, which supports soldiers and their families.
