Jacob Rees-Mogg, multi-millionaire, the poster boy for the Brexit camp, and self-proclaimed "man of the people" has consistently voted against strengthening the military covenant. He also doesn't accept that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) should be a factor when allocating the health and housing needs of our brave service personnel.

What is the military covenant?

The armed forces covenant sets out the relationship between the government, the nation, and the armed forces. It is a promise to look after those serving and those with past service, as well as their families, and is considered a moral obligation of the nation.

Readers may be surprised to learn that whilst the covenants key principles have been enshrined in law, in the 2011 Armed Forces Act, the covenant itself is not a legal document. In fact the government's own website GOV.UK states: "The armed forces covenant itself is not a legal document but its key principle have been enshrined in law in the Armed Forces Act 2011. The legislation obliges the Defence Secretary to report annually on progress made by the government in honoring the covenant."

How he voted

1. On February 16, 2011, he voted against a legally binding Military Covenant being set out in law.

2. On June 26, 2012, he voted against calling on the government to strengthen the military covenant.

3. On June 14, 2011, he voted against requiring public bodies and ministers to consider the effects of military service when setting Healthcare, Education, and Housing policy, and to consider if special provisions for current, and former, service personnel is justified.

So it would seem that Mr. Rees-Mogg is not a fan of the UK military and its families.

Or is he?

Delving deeper into his voting patterns has revealed a surprising trend when it comes to the military.

4. In 2010 he voted to continue the deployment of UK forces in Afghanistan.

5. On September 26, 2014, he voted in favor of air-strikes against ISIL in defense of Iraqi forces.

6. On December 2, 2015, he voted in favor of UK air-strikes on ISIL in Syria.

7. On November 30, 2016, he voted against the Iraq war investigation.

In fact, since 2010, Jacob Rees-Mogg has voted in favor of using UK forces no fewer than seven times. He even wanted the then Prime Minister, David Cameron to send bombers to Syria after the regime reputedly used chemical weapons on its own people. Not bad for a politician who's happy to deploy UK forces at a moments notice but doesn't want the burden of looking after them when they return.

Future prime minister?

Some of the more extreme voices in the Conservative party have called for Rees-Mogg to be the next prime minister. It seems extremely unlikely given that the Brexit vote was so narrow, with 48 percent staunchly against almost everything that he stands for.

There is also the matter of his likeability

Whilst the extreme right may like his public school educated image and super-posh voice, others may find him too aloof, too upper-class. Besides, why would he want the job? While he sits on the back-benches in Parliament he isn't shackled by the constraints of high office and he's free to air his opinions when he chooses, however isolationist and anti-Europe.

Is Jacob Rees-Mogg a man of the people?

To say that he's a man of the people implies that he represents all people. On the evidence presented here, I doubt that Jacob Ress-Mogg could claim to be that man. He doesn't seem to understand the special relationship that exists between the nation and the armed forces. Well, unless it suits his purposes.
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED