Commons Sense

House of Commons · General Debate

Victory in Europe and Japan 80th Anniversaries 2025-03-13

13 March 2025 · 22 other contributors

Opened by Stephanie Peacock Lab Culture, Media and Sport Minister

DefenceVeterans

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Stephanie Peacock raised concerns about victory in europe and japan 80th anniversaries 2025-03-13 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • Government plans to mark the 80th anniversaries of VE Day and VJ Day with activities across the UK.
  • Celebrations include a military procession, flypast, and street parties, with iconic buildings lit up in commemoration.
  • Westminster Abbey and the BBC are scheduled to host special events, while the National Memorial Arboretum will hold a service led by the Royal British Legion.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Stephanie Peacock Lab Culture, Media and Sport Minister

The Government plans to mark the 80th anniversaries of VE Day and VJ Day include a programme of activities up and down the UK. Celebrations will start on May Bank Holiday with the Cenotaph draped in flags overnight followed by a military procession and flypast. There will be street parties across the country, iconic buildings lighting up in commemoration, and 25,000 ceramic poppies cascading from the Tower of London. Special events include performances at Westminster Abbey and a VE Day concert by the BBC. On VJ Day, there will be a service at the National Memorial Arboretum led by the Royal British Legion.

Other contributors (22)
  • Saqib Bhatti Con Meriden and Solihull East

    Acknowledges the importance of commemorating VE Day and VJ Day, paying tribute to all those who served in the armed forces. Reflects on sacrifices made by soldiers from the Commonwealth and the UK. Emphasises the need for remembrance and education about the contributions of troops from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Australia, New Zealand, the Caribbean, Africa, Canada and other countries. Welcomes the Government’s announcement on 'Our Shared Story' to pass on stories of the second world war generation.

  • Stephanie Peacock Con

    Pays tribute to VE Day and VJ Day, encouraging celebrations while acknowledging the current conflict in Ukraine. Supports local government and councils in planning events.

  • Jo Platt Lab/Co-op Leigh and Atherton

    Welcomes the Minister's statement and thanks for the service of veterans like Eric Radcliffe, emphasising the importance of recording veterans' stories to ensure they are not lost over time.

  • Jamie Stone LD Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross

    Associates his party with the planned commemorations. Emphasises the lessons learned from appeasement before WWII and suggests recording veterans' memories for future generations to learn from.

  • Adam Jogee Lab Newcastle-under-Lyme

    Acknowledges the service of people from across the Commonwealth during WWII, asks about discussions with the Commonwealth secretariat regarding these commemorations.

  • Danny Kruger Con East Wiltshire

    Pays tribute to the veterans in his constituency who were part of Operation Overlord. Asks for senior national representation in Wiltshire around D-Day events.

  • Alex Baker Lab Aldershot

    Celebrates Aldershot and Farnborough’s contribution to every major conflict, including WWII, and congratulates Councillor Sophie Porter and Councillor Nadia Martin on their work for the community.

  • Andrew Rosindell Con Romford

    Commemorates the liberation of the Channel Islands in Operation Nest Egg and requests that this event is also part of VE 80 commemorations.

  • Shaun Davies Lab Telford

    Welcomes the community fund launched by Telford and Wrekin council to mark the occasion, emphasising the role of allies then and now in celebrating this event.

  • Iain Stuart Con Constituency not mentioned

    Debated about Parliament's choir programme for VE Day celebrations, mentioning contributions from composers of various countries including Bach and Russian music. He expressed hope that Russia could become an ally again under a different leader.

  • Stephanie Peacock Lab Barnsley East

    Acknowledged the contributions to VE Day and VJ Day celebrations, mentioned the Parliament choir's involvement and highlighted tributes to veterans. Announced support for local organisations like West Bromwich Royal Naval Association club and Oldbury Royal British Legion. Emphasised importance of supporting veterans today and shared information about a 'Letters to Loved Ones' initiative.

  • Sarah Coombes Lab West Bromwich

    Complimented the Government's announcement for VE Day and VJ Day tributes. Called out local associations doing important work, such as West Bromwich Royal Naval Association club and Oldbury Royal British Legion.

  • Seamus Logan SNP Aberdeenshire North and Moray East

    Discussed the impact of WWII on Scotland and Aberdeenshire specifically, mentioning casualty rates. Asked for assurance that all Government Departments would work to uphold the legacy of VE Day and look after veterans.

  • Jim Dickson Lab Dartford

    Welcomed the Government’s announcement on the celebrations but highlighted Dartford's historical importance during WWII. Mentioned a suspected unexploded WW2 bomb incident in his constituency. Suggested using VE and VJ Day to uncover wartime histories.

  • Desmond Swayne Con New Forest West

    Asked about initiatives regarding war graves at sea due to plundering for scrap metal or other materials.

  • Claire Hughes Lab Bangor Aberconwy

    Welcomed the Government’s statement and asked how veterans can be involved in celebrations in north Wales.

  • Julian Lewis Con New Forest East

    Congratulated on contributions to VE Day and VJ Day. Asked about BBC broadcasting wartime films and whether they would remember the post-war occupation of central and eastern Europe by the Soviet Union.

  • Carla Lockhart DUP Upper Bann

    Highlighted Northern Ireland's role in WWII, mentioned Lurgan’s Brownlow Castle historical significance. Asked for Government financial support to restore the castle's family wing.

  • Ben Obese-Jecty Con Huntingdon

    Welcomed commitment to commemorate VE Day and VJ Day. Raised concerns about Commonwealth War Graves Commission budget funding due to increased activity this year.

  • Rebecca Smith Con South West Devon

    Celebrated the CWGC's 'For Evermore' project being integrated into VE Day and VJ Day celebrations, emphasising its importance for descendants of those commemorated.

  • Richard Holden Con Basildon and Billericay

    Encourages all local councils across the country to participate in VE Day celebrations through beacon lighting and suggests writing a letter to those organising international visits for parliamentarians to visit war graves around the world.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Thanks the Minister for her statement, emphasises the significance of remembering and celebrating VE Day and VJ Day in British history. Asks the Minister to consider allocating additional funds to devolved nations to ensure local councils have the capacity to fund services and events.

Government Response

Stephanie Peacock

The Government will mark the 80th anniversaries of VE Day and VJ Day with a programme of activities up and down the UK. These include street parties, military parades, lighting up of iconic buildings, and special events at Westminster Abbey, the National Memorial Arboretum, and the BBC. The initiative aims to bring communities together to celebrate and remember the sacrifices made during the second world war. Supports VE Day celebrations, encouraging local government involvement. Acknowledges veterans' contributions, including those from Commonwealth nations, and promotes initiatives like 'Letters to Loved Ones' for preserving veterans’ memories. Acknowledged contributions to VE Day and VJ Day tributes. Highlighted the 'Letters to Loved Ones' initiative encouraging exploration of family history during WWII. Promised meetings or letters about war graves at sea. Stated that BBC was working on broadcasting films made during the war years, as part of a concert planned for 8 May. Encourages street parties, flexible rules by local councils, launches a new initiative called 'Tip Top Towns' to encourage people to decorate their local areas, and mentions grants available from the National Lottery Community Fund. Agrees to write letters as suggested.

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