Defence & Security
Keeping Britain Safe
The defence of the realm is the first duty of government.
A Royal Air Force veteran, North Devon's Ian Roome MP is one of two Liberal Democrat MPs chosen to serve on the cross-party Defence Select Committee.
He is an outspoken voice for strengthening the UK's armed forces, for defence investment, for the welfare of serving personnel & veterans, and for closer ties with our European allies.
In Parliament, the Lib Dems have successfully campaigned for the Decent Homes Standard to be applied to all armed forces housing and to extend the Armed Forces Covenant.
On the Defence Select Committee, Ian has questioned senior officers, Ministry of Defence officials and industry experts - with special reports into Defence in the High North, AUKUS, European Security, the Armed Forces Commissioner and other topics.
In Spring 2026, Ian was also chosen for the Public Bill Committee of the 2026 Armed Forces Bill.
... Madam Deputy Speaker, Facing down tyrants is in this country's DNA. Ukraine will fight on, and we must back them. There is no stronger defence than showing we are good to our word."
Ian Roome MP, House of Commons, 25th February 2026
Ian Roome first moved to North Devon in 1989 while serving in the Royal Air Force, after being posted to RAF Chivenor from RAF Laarbruch in Germany. Working in telecommunications, he was briefly drafted into the Ministry of Defence during the First Gulf War. He is one of just a small number of MPs who have ever served in the ranks.
Outside of uniform, he has kept close ties to the armed forces and veterans' issues, working for SSAFA, raising money for the memorial garden at RM Chivenor, and joining the Royal Marine Commando Logistic Regiment in Norway for an Arctic Training Exercise in 2019.
As of 2025, Ian is a graduate of the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme (Strategic Command).
