Serve to lead: Minister following Sandhurst motto as she makes first visit to Cyprus bases
The new Veterans and People Minister has made her first overseas visit to British Forces Cyprus after her promotion last month.
Louise Sandher-Jones MP met serving personnel and their families across all bases on the island to hear about the "unique challenges" of service away from home.
Mrs Sandher-Jones was appointed as a minister in September 2025, but before that spent seven years as an officer in the Intelligence Corps.
Speaking exclusively to BFBS Forces News, who followed her visit, the Labour MP for North East Derbyshire said: "I still use the Sandhurst motto – serve to lead.
"I think it really applies for MPs and now as a minister. It's a massive honour for me."
Operationally immense: Why Cyprus still matters to UK Armed Forces
The minister's three-day visit to troops living and working in Cyprus was all-encompassing.
A whistle-stop tour included meeting the Army's Resident Infantry Battalions, the UK's permanent United Nations peacekeepers, and the Royal Air Force's busiest overseas personnel.
She even squeezed in a Chinook flight alongside Commander British Forces, Major General Tom Bewick.
The 8,000 personnel and families stationed in Cyprus proved the perfect test case for the minister to understand the perks and challenges for Britain's Armed Forces.
"The British forces here play a really vital role in supporting regional stability," she said.
"The range of operations that Cyprus is supporting is immense. It's so important to us that we have the units that are here and that we're supporting them to do their job properly."
People power: Forces family meets the minister
At the heart of the minister's broad brief are people – their lifestyle and role in keeping Britain secure.
At Alexander Barracks in Dhekelia, she met families from the Resident Infantry Battalion 4 The Royal Regiment of Scotland, who arrived in August.
"It's really nice that she's come to 4 Scots to meet us first," said Louise Crawford.
Married to Sergeant Crawford, the mum from Hull, who has three young children, added: "It matters because it shows somebody's going to listen if there are issues."
"[Families] do see this as a great opportunity to come out somewhere different. There's also the flipside of coming out here," the minister said.
Homes for heroes: Is housing up to scratch while living on the patch?
Homes and accommodation are a top priority for families across the service.
In Dhekelia, the minister was shown new earthquake-compliant housing by the Station Commander. Built in 1953, some of the station's housing is "crumbling", and 138 homes are being built for phase one of the Apollo project.
Lieutenant Colonel Tim Wildish said: "Housing is so important to people's morale. If people don't have somewhere decent to live, they're not going to be happy.
"There's a wider programme of investment across the island," said Mrs Sandher-Jones.
"We need to make sure we're upgrading the infrastructure as and when we need."
Recruitment and retention: Take the king's shilling or get out of dodge
A major chunk of the minister's job is managing the number of people serving in the Armed Forces.
The latest figures released by the Ministry of Defence in August showed that more people are leaving than joining.
Near Episkopi Garrison on the Eastern Sovereign Base Area, the minister met young women who had just joined the Resident Infantry Battalion, 1 Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment.
"We were just talking about what it's like being a female in an infantry regiment," said Private Scarlett Burrow.
"It shows that they're actually interested in soldiers and young people who are serving."
Mrs Sandher-Jones admitted: "It's a challenge for us that we need to overcome. We need to have a military that is at its proper strength."
Veterans now, military first: Staying connected to the forces
More than 20,000 British veterans have settled in Cyprus after their service has ended.
At the Royal British Legion's Larnaca branch, tea and cake punctuate the minister's busy schedule.
It was her first time meeting veterans since taking the posting in September.
Stephen Briggs, a Royal Air Force veteran and branch chairman, said: "Although we have left the forces, we have this inbred honour and camaraderie that continues long after."
Sue Hannis, another RAF veteran, added: "Although she's a lot younger than us, she seemed very knowledgeable."
The minister said: "Back in the UK, my absolute priority is rolling out Valour (regional centres), which will be able to provide support."
Heading for home: Taking a piece of Cyprus back to the Westminster
Ultimately, the minister's visit was about fact-finding. No new policy was announced or expected.
Mrs Sandher-Jones was simply getting her feet under the table in a new job with demanding, real-world consequences for people's lives and the security of the United Kingdom.
Cyprus is often dubbed the 'sunshine tour', where beaches are metres from the barracks.
But at the junction of the Middle East, North Africa and Europe, it remains extremely important to the British government at a time of change on the global stage.
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