We remember their service, and their sacrifice – Keir
Starmer’s VE Day message
, Leader of the Labour Party,
will pay tribute on VE Day to "the millions of people from across
the United Kingdom and from across the world" who helped secure
victory in the Second World War.
In a video message on Victory in Europe Day, the Labour
Leader will praise the “shared values” of those who stood
together and highlight the legacy of “those that rebuilt and
renewed our country after the war.”
In recognition of the coronavirus pandemic he will
say:
“In normal times we would be paying tribute to their
achievements in street parties, in gatherings and events at the
Cenotaph. This year we can't do that.”
He adds:
“We commemorate those who stood together for a better
future. We remember their service, and also their
sacrifice.”
Ends
Full text of Keir’s video message:
Today we mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day, and we
remember the millions of people from across the United Kingdom,
and from across the world who came together in World War II to
fight for our shared values; values of freedom, of democracy, of
peace and of tolerance.
We also pay tribute to those that rebuilt and renewed our
country after the war. Based on their values they built a better
future. Theirs is an incredible legacy – the National Health
Service, the welfare state, the recognition of human
rights.
In normal times we would be paying tribute to their
achievements in street parties, in gatherings and events at the
Cenotaph. This year we can't do that. This year we can't be
together.
But tonight we'll hear from the Queen at the exact same
time, as in 1945, her father King George spoke to the nation from
a bomb-scarred Buckingham Palace.
He talked about what kept our country going during that
crisis; the recognition that our cause wasn't the cause of one
nation alone and that we succeeded because we stood
together.
Let's remember that message in these difficult times and
take inspiration from the spirit of people like Captain Tom
Moore, who served in Asia and then, 75 years later, raised £27
million for NHS charities. We owe a huge debt to Tom's generation
and we must do everything we can to show them the same commitment
that they showed our country in its darkest hour.
Today we commemorate those who stood together for a better
future. We remember their service, and also their
sacrifice.
Notes to Editors
-
Keir Starmer’s video message will be released on social
media at around 0700hrs on Friday
8 May.
