Truro and Falmouth MP Sarah Newton has temporarily joined the crew of Royal Navy assault ship HMS Ocean this week, as part of in the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme.

The Armed Forces Scheme is open to all parliamentarians, with the aim of improving the quality of debate on military issues by exposing Members of Parliament to first-hand military experience.

In order to graduate from the scheme Members are required to spend twenty-two days in any one year on active service with units in one of the branches of the Armed Forces Mrs Newton, in light of the historic connections between her home town of Falmouth and the Royal Navy, has chosen to serve as a sailor during her time on the scheme. She enrolled at the Royal Navy’s Whale Island base in Portsmouth in February, in preparation for her week on board HMS Ocean.

During her time on the assault ship, Mrs Newton will be getting grips to with the range of naval activities, including night time flying and marine engineering. She will be acting as ordinary crew member, and will live for five days on the ship as it serves at sea.

Mrs Newton said: “I am very much looking forward to serving on HMS Ocean, which will offer an unparalleled opportunity to understand more fully the everyday work of the Royal Navy, and the service of the courageous and skilled men and men and women who fill its ranks."