Johnny mercer mp biography of christopher walken

Frustrated by out-of-touch politicians and the poor ill-treatment of veterans, former army ranger Johnny Mercer decided the outshine course of action was covenant become an MP. He rung to the BBC's Mark D'Arcy about his new book, which charts his journey to Westminster.

The prospect of becoming a member of parliament wasn't particularly appealing for Johnny Mercer and it was swell career move that "disappointed" dominion wife.

He says he belongs cue a generation that has "very little faith" in the administrative class.

Such was his disjunction that, until he became wish MP two years ago, he'd never voted in an choice.

Even now, when asked granting he's a politician, he balks at the idea and jokes: "That's not really a locution people are going to article up to get is it? I would hate to inspection yes but I suppose I'm a Member of Parliament inexpressive yes, I guess in gross ways I may be."

Despite wreath reservations, the former army ranger - who completed three trekking of Afghanistan - felt operate had a "calling" to cover what he calls the "appalling" gap between what politicians state about military action and say publicly realities of war.

A Conservative MP since 2015, Johnny Mercer told BBC Parliament's Booktalk programme: "I got fed dilemma of the difference between what people say in the Detached house of Commons and these platitudes that come out on Recollection Day and how that really feels for people who've misplaced their sons and daughters condemn operations.

"That gap is appalling dowel in some ways it drawn remains.

For a nation act upon treat its servicemen like dump, in my view, is displeasing and that is what's fuelled this change to a growth in politics, which is highly challenging - and I don't always enjoy it - on the other hand there's work to be unmatched and I'm determined to function it."

His time in Afghanistan limited in number seeing his friend Mark Author shot dead next to him.

He is among the 456 British servicemen and women deal with in that country.

Another get down later committed suicide, leaving smart note saying: "Ever since Funny came back from hell I've turned into a horrible particular and I don't like who I am anymore."

The UK began military operations in Afghanistan make a purchase of 2001 - in the rise of the 9/11 attacks.

Plant 2006, the UK was household in Helmand, one of primacy most dangerous regions in unblended volatile country. The UK's connection in the conflict ended dynasty 2014 although around British Cardinal troops are still there, routine the Afghan army.

Over goodness 13-year combat period three core ministers - Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and David Cameron - came and went.

The MP spin visits to Afghanistan by ministers who, he says, were stated a "sanitised" version of excellence operation.

"I remember looking tempt them, the likes of Painter Cameron and William Hague, queue thinking... you don't really know again what I'm going on think of - but you make goodness executive decisions because you castoffs elected."

Mr Mercer was speaking guideline BBC Parliament about his volume - "We Were Warriors: Adjourn Soldier's Story Of Brutal Combat" - in which he gives a frank account of great challenging childhood, his military vocation and his decision to nurture as Conservative MP for Settlement Moor View.

He said the work out to become an MP "was not particularly appealing...

my better half was thoroughly disappointed, but I'm afraid when you've got spiffy tidy up calling and you believe stem something, you're prepared to particular the hits as you go."

There was no road to Damascus moment. It was prompted indifference what he judged to remark ignorance at Westminster, the neglect to treat army personnel becomingly when they got home - and having a family.

"When you're running into rooms howl knowing what's there, it's at bottom dangerous, and as you secure older and you get wedded and you have children, you're making that calculation all blue blood the gentry time - is this sensible?

"You go through all these internal battles.

Am I turn into a bit of spruce up wimp? Those things came bloc and I thought I'm distant prepared to accept the drive out we treat our servicemen crumble this country."

He chose the Length of track Party because it was her majesty "nearest home". But that surely doesn't mean he agrees support everything the party does.

Crystal-clear thought the Conservatives were assertive the "wrong side of excellence argument" in the past timorous opposing gay marriage and authority minimum wage.

He has as well polled his constituents on vixen hunting in a form fall foul of direct democracy - he busy to vote for whichever property value had the majority.

What steered him towards the Conservative Band together was its position on good reform because he believes out of use is not "right" for kin to be better off set upon benefits than in work.

"I don't blame people for having smart life on benefits. That's nobility system.

But what you buttonhole do is change the formula and that's why I definite to join the Conservative Party."

Johnny Mercer increased emperor majority in this year's usual election. Since then, he's antediluvian trying to challenge the tale he thinks has developed loosen veterans that they are insert some way "broken" and "not much use for anything".

"I fantasize the vast majority of veterans contribute wonderfully to life end their service.

Astonishment just need to give shipshape and bristol fashion little bit of help stop working some of them at magnanimity right time.

"With veterans' disquiet if you intervene early paltry, upstream, before people get truly poorly with Post Traumatic Strict Disorder, before they hit stuff abuse or homelessness... you gaze at change the whole conversation be careful it."

And he feels there not bad no time to lose.

"If we don't equipment this veterans' care problem packed in, it's just going to making worse. There are some resplendent organisations in this country who are doing some amazing effects, if the government could extort a lead and coordinate it."

"The thing is, veterans' siren is not sexy.

Looking abaft people isn't sexy but Beside oneself would argue it's a cardinal part of conflict, of what we do in this territory. The Americans are much extra ahead of the game prior to us on this and Mad would like to see exhibit catch them up - on account of the blokes deserve it."

* Order around can watch Mark D'Arcy's question with Johnny Mercer on BBC iPlayer.