This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

Salisbury will host next year’s national Armed Forces Day, Theresa May has announced, as a tribute to how the city dealt with the aftermath of the nerve agent attack in March.

The prime minister is attending this year’s event on Saturday in Llandudno, north Wales, where she is expected to hail the military’s work in dealing with the poisoning of the Russian former double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia.

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“The military response to the nerve agent attack [in Salisbury] has been remarkable,” she will say. “By holding Armed Forces Day there next year, we are also celebrating the tremendous resilience and great spirit of Salisbury and showing clearly it is open for business. It’s a great city, enriched by military history and a wonderful place to visit.”

Thousands of people lined Llandudno promenade to greet May and Princess Anne as they entered Venue Cymru.

May applauded and Anne saluted military personnel and their brass bands as they marched past to mark the start of the event.



Facebook Twitter Pinterest Theresa May (C), her husband Philip (4L) and defence secretary Gavin Williamson (3L) applaud as veterans and serving personnel march past. Photograph: Oli Scarff/AFP/Getty Images

Jeremy Corbyn is expected to praise veterans and service personnel, and say the UK should do more to recognise their sacrifices through better pay and public services.



“Every day we must remember what you do for our safety and security,” the Labour leader will say in a video message. “This work means you spend so much time away from your families and friends. And for all your sacrifices and all that you have done for us, we must do so much more for you.

“Labour strongly supports the armed forces covenant by which this country promises that those who have served, and their families, are treated fairly. Whether it’s healthcare, housing or pay, we must do more to ensure that our duty to you matches your service to us.”

There are more than 5,000 members of the British armed forces deployed in 30 countries.