As the country marks the 80th anniversary of
D-Day today (Thursday), has paid tribute to the
“individual courage and collective strength” of the D-Day
generation.
The Labour leader will mark the historic anniversary today at a
ceremony at the British Normandy memorial in Ver-sur-Mer,
France.
This follows Keir Starmer's attendance at a national ceremony to
mark the first day of national commemorations, held in Portsmouth
on Wednesday.
Speaking on the
80th anniversary
of the D-Day landings, , Leader of the Labour Party,
said:
Eighty years ago today, the sun rose on a new day of hope for a
world in the dark storm of the Second World War.
As ships and planes full of brave British soldiers approached the
coast of France on D-Day, their courage and sacrifice would bring
liberation to Europe and secure our freedoms for generations to
come.
UK servicemen stood with our Allies from around the world to
deliver a decisive blow against fascism and turn the tide of the
war. Some made the ultimate sacrifice, giving their lives
so we could live freely. Others returned home to build a new
Britain out of the ashes of the war.
It is a privilege to stand with surviving D-Day veterans in
Normandy today as we mark this historic anniversary. We will
commemorate their courage, we will honour their fallen comrades
and we will ensure that their story is never forgotten.
Our debt to them can never repaid in full. But we can – and
must - honour their sacrifice. This goes beyond party politics.
This is about who we are as a nation. This is our story, our
history, our identity - and our future together.
The story of D-Day is a story not only of individual courage, but
of collective strength. Of commitment to our Western allies in
the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. It is a story that
resonates just as strongly today, in this new age of insecurity,
as it ever has.
Like so many families, I have relatives who fought in the Second
World War who I will be remembering this week. It is an honour to
attend commemorations in Portsmouth and in France on behalf of
the Labour Party. And to personally thank members of that
generation who delivered us out of the shadow of war, into a
brighter future for Britain.
We must never allow that generation's heroism to be forgotten.
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will
remember them.
Ends
Notes to editors:
-
will be joined by , Labour's Shadow Foreign
Secretary, at the British Normandy Memorial ceremony in France
on Thursday.
- In the UK on Thursday, Labour's Shadow Defence Secretary
will represent the party at a
service of Remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum.
