The Coalition for Global Prosperity hosted The Rt Hon Johnny Mercer MP for the latest in our series of “In Conversation” events. The event was chaired by Ryan Henson, Chief Executive of CGP.

Commenting on his role as Minister of State for Veterans' Affairs, Johnny said it was fundamentally "about preventing disadvantage and looking after those that have sacrificed the most." He also stressed that the approach he takes with his job is underpinned by a belief that focusing on what it actually feels like to be a veteran is essential to progress. Evaluating how veterans can tangibly access care is key to equalising experience. He also said that employment was the "number one thing" that can improve someone's life, especially for veterans. "We can make the UK the best place in the world to be a vet," Johnny stated, which can include taking the best parts of other countries' veterans models. The discussion then followed on to modern compassionate conservatism. "We will be judged by how we look after our most vulnerable communities", he reflected.

He also spoke about the Integrated Review and emphasised the importance of its assessments, UK defence spending, as well as his own understanding of Global Britain, and how for him, this stems from a definite understanding of what the security forces do for us.