North Devon apprentice introduces defence secretary speech at Labour Conference

A North Devon apprentice took to the national stage today (Monday, September 28) at the Labour Conference to in traduce the Defence Secretary’s speech and tell the world how proud he was to begin his shipbuilding career at Appledore.

Jack Partridge, told delegates how the apprenticeship with Navantia UK had opened doors for him, before handing over to Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Defence.

Jack said: “I'm from North Devon and I'm a proud apprentice and GMB union member and Navantia UK's Appledore Shipyard.

“When I was 16, I thought I was going to go to college and do A-levels. I didn't really think an apprenticeship could open up the same doors for me. However, it turned out I was completely wrong.

“A few years later, I get to say that I'm helping to build the bow sections for one of three Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels, helping to continue the 200-year tradition of shipbuilding on the River Torridge.”

He went on to say how proud he was and of the people he worked with, adding “It's given me the confidence, the skills and a much bigger idea of what I can do with my life and it's made me think differently about defence too.

“Keeping the country safe can also mean giving someone their first chance. It can mean an apprenticeship, a proper skill, a good unionised job, backing British workers and British industry and giving communities like mine something to build their future around.”

The Navantia yard at Appledore is currently constructing the bow sections for the first of three Fleet Solid Support Ships for the RFA which will resupply Royal Navy vessels at sea.

Jack even made a humorous remark at the Defence Secretary’s expense, saying: “I've learnt there's nothing wrong with being ambitious and I gather Wes has worked that one out too. I don't want to lower my ambitions just because of where I've come from. Young people shouldn't have to make their dreams smaller to fit around the opportunities.

“Government should make those opportunities bigger and that's what I want for North Devon and that's why I'm proud to introduce someone who believes a stronger defence can also mean stronger communities and bigger opportunities for young people like myself.”

Watch Jack’s speech at the conference in full -

In response, Mr Streeting made a number of references to Jack’s introduction in his own speech, including the ambition pun, saying: “Thank you, Jack. That was absolutely brilliant, and you keep being ambitious. As for my own ambitions, like HMS Agamemnon last week, I think that ship has sailed.

“But you, Jack, are a great example of the future that a stronger Britain can offer the next generation. Jack's proud of where he's from, proud of where he works, proud of the contribution he's making to our nation. So to Jack and all the young men and women who are building a stronger, wealthier, safer Britain, thank you.

“The Ministry of Defence I lead will be at the heart of our PM's mission to reindustrialise Britain. Giving our young people skills, just like we've given Jack, to earn a good wage in a good job in their part of the country.

“Because there is neither an economic nor a moral justification for Britain's defence sector hiring thousands of works from abroad when we have one million young people out of work here at home.”

He went on to unveil today’s news that the government would be awarding the £6billion contract to build the new floating docks for the UK’s nuclear submarine fleet at HM Naval Base Clyde to a UK firm.

Navantia UK has said it would be bidding to lead the delivery of the floating docks programme from its shipyards in Methil, Fife and Belfast.