5. Championing Defence

Rebecca is proud to represent many serving personnel, veterans and 42 Commando Royal Marines at RM Bickleigh as the Member of Parliament for South West Devon and is an outspoken champion for Britain's Armed Forces in Parliament.

Born and raised in the historic naval city of Plymouth, she has fond memories of watching warships set sail from Plymouth Sound as a girl. Before being elected in July 2024, Rebecca spent more than six years working for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) in the South West, sharing its vital work preserving the memories of the fallen through walks and talks. She continues to support and raise awareness about the organisation in Parliament, chairing the CWGC and Commemorations All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG). The South West Devon MP also attends Remembrance services in towns and villages across the constituency every year, laying wreaths on behalf of her constituents.

Rebecca was the only Plymouth MP to speak out against the Government's decision to axe HMS Albion and Bulwark based at HMNB Devonport in November 2024. She has put significant pressure on the Government to provide a timeline for their replacements, quizzing the Defence Secretary in Parliament.

View recent articles on Rebecca's work to champion defence in South West Devon below.

News

Rebecca discusses defence at Devonport Dockyard

I recently toured Devonport Dockyard with Babcock International Group, viewing the Supercat ‘Jackal’ production line, the upgrade of the Royal Navy's nuclear submarine support facilities at 10 Dock and heard about plans to house the eight new Type 26 Frigates.I have spoken a great deal recently abou

Discussing the future of defence at the largest naval base in Western Europe

Discussing the future of defence at the largest naval base in Western Europe.I recently toured Devonport Dockyard with Babcock, viewing the Supercat ‘Jackal’ production line, the upgrade of the @Royal Navy's nuclear submarine support facilities at 10 Dock and heard about plans to house the eight new

Royal Navy receives world’s first autonomous mine hunter in Plymouth

It was great to be at Thales at Turnchapel Wharf recently for the delivery of the world’s first autonomous mine hunting system for the Royal Navy.This cutting-edge system uses autonomous drones equipped with AI to conduct mine countermeasure missions which secure Britain's free navigation of the ope

Statement on Labour's sale of Plymouth warships to Brazil

In January I asked the Labour Defence Secretary when the replacements for Plymouth's HMS Bulwark and HMS Albion would enter service. No answer. The following month I asked if Plymouth's warships were being flogged to a foreign navy.

Rebecca welcomes defence spending increase to 2.5% of GDP

I welcome the Prime Minister's increase in defence spending.The last Conservative Government provided a funded timeline for spending 2.5% of GDP on defence when Keir Starmer would not. Since then, the Conservatives have repeatedly lobbied for the Government to commit to a date.

Rebecca donates grant for local WW2 plaque

Great to see the new WW2 plaque installed which I provided a grant for.The plaque pays tribute to all the service personnel that served in the secret radar unit of 144 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Rocket Battery, code named Z4, defending Plymouth from air attack between 1941 and 1945.I care deeply about reme