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Holocaust Memorial Day 2026-01-29
29 January 2026
Lead MP
Peter Prinsley
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
EducationTaxationCommunity SecurityForeign Affairs
Other Contributors: 38
At a Glance
Peter Prinsley raised concerns about holocaust memorial day 2026-01-29 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The hon. Member for Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket opened the debate by highlighting the importance of Holocaust Memorial Day, especially in the context of recent events in Gaza which have polarized communities and reduced the number of schools holding memorial events from 2,000 in 2023 to an estimated lower number in the current year. He emphasised the need for a national Holocaust memorial and stressed that it is essential to remember and study antisemitism to prevent future atrocities. Prinsley drew on his local history in Norwich, including the expulsion of Jews by King Edward I in 1290 and subsequent centuries of persecution.
Peter Prinsley
Lab
Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket
Prinsley emphasised the historical significance of Norwich's Jewish community, dating back to the Norman period. He mentioned the expulsion of Jews from England in 1290 by King Edward I and the subsequent return under Oliver Cromwell hundreds of years later. He also highlighted the antisemitic blood libel accusations in 1140 which led to violence against Jews, providing evidence of a pogrom in Norwich in 1190 based on archaeological findings. Prinsley urged for continued efforts to combat contemporary antisemitism and stressed the importance of Holocaust Memorial Day.
Alec Shelbrooke
Con
Wetherby and Easingwold
Shelbrooke supported Prinsley's argument, emphasising that equating a religious group with the actions of its government is an antisemitic act. He agreed with Prinsley on the importance of addressing contemporary antisemitism following recent events.
Bob Blackman
Con
Harrow East
Blackman congratulated Peter Prinsley and highlighted his own involvement in Holocaust-related parliamentary groups. He reiterated the importance of remembering not only Jews but also other victims such as Roma, disabled people, political dissidents, etc. He emphasised understanding how the Holocaust became possible by tracing back to pre-war conditions where hatred was normalized leading up to economic despair and social scapegoating.
Alec Shelbrooke
Con
Mirfield
Expresses horror at public dressing up as concentration camp prisoners, aligning with Bob Blackman's stance on the importance of condemning antisemitic actions.
Gareth Thomas
Lab/Co-op
Harrow West
Supports the need for Ofcom to tackle online hate speech, including antisemitism and Islamophobia. Calls attention to the rising levels of antisemitic incidents in Greater London and Greater Manchester.
Warrington North
Explores the theme 'Bridging Generations' through biblical teachings, referencing Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks and the Warsaw ghetto writings to illustrate the importance of remembrance and commemoration in Judaism.
Islington North
Emphasised the need for remembrance as a societal effort, noting the rise in antisemitism globally and locally. She cited the importance of learning from survivors' stories to combat current prejudices.
Dawn Butler
Lab
Brent East
Acknowledged Charlotte Nichols's speech and thanked John Hajdu MBE for sharing his Holocaust survival story, highlighting the importance of personal testimonies in educating future generations.
Tom Morrison
LD
Cheadle
Highlighted the role of institutions in enabling genocide and shared stories from constituents who survived the Holocaust, emphasising the need for action against rising antisemitism. He also emphasised the importance of education to prevent future atrocities.
Paul Waugh
Lab/Co-op
Rochdale
Paid tribute to the opening speeches and emphasised the critical role of remembrance in combating anti-Semitism, stressing the necessity for continuous action against hate crimes.
Paul Waugh
Lab
unknown constituency
Encouraged Members to learn from the Mothers of Srebrenica about preventing future hate crimes and highlighted the importance of teaching about genocides such as Srebrenica in schools.
Alec Shelbrooke
Con
Wetherby and Easingwold
Stressed the importance of acknowledging Jewish victims during Holocaust Memorial Day, described brutal realities faced by Jews under Nazi regime. Emphasised how dehumanisation allowed mass murder and warned about modern day antisemitism causing brain drain from UK.
Alec Shelbrooke
Con
Wetherby and Easingwold
He discussed how historical events, such as the Holocaust, have shaped current fears within the Jewish community. He criticised West Yorkshire police for not charging protesters rent for using council land, which he argued could help crack down on hate speech and violence.
Carla Denyer
Green
Bristol Central
Carla Denyer raised a point of order questioning the accuracy of statements made about members of the public by Sir Alec Shelbrooke, highlighting concerns over misrepresentation.
Rachel Blake
Lab/Co-op
Cities of London and Westminster
Blake emphasised the importance of remembrance and bridging generational gaps in preserving historical understanding. She discussed the role of Holocaust survivors and their descendants within communities, referencing the Kindertransport memorial near Liverpool Street station.
Jonathan Gullis
Lab
Ilford North
The MP expressed concern about complacency regarding antisemitism and highlighted the need for action. He questioned whether Parliament has done enough to prevent hate crimes and ensure that Jewish concerns are heard.
Dwyfor Meirionnydd
The MP paid tribute to victims of the Holocaust, including those from Ukraine and other communities. She emphasised the importance of recognising current genocidal actions in Myanmar, China, and Gaza, noting the significance of international bodies holding perpetrators accountable under the convention on genocide.
The MP responded to Liz Saville Roberts, emphasising the distinction between legitimate criticism of state actions and hate directed towards people based on religion. She noted the importance of distinguishing these in debates like today’s.
Jas Athwal
Lab
Ilford South
The MP shared the story of a Holocaust survivor, Susan Pollack, to illustrate the personal impact and trauma of the Holocaust. He emphasised the deliberate nature of mass murder and the ongoing inheritance of its trauma.
Martin Vickers
Con
Brigg and Immingham
It is a pleasure to take part in this debate once again. There have been some profound, passionate, emotional and informative contributions, as is so often the case when we put our political exchanges to one side. As Members have mentioned, this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day theme is, “Bridging Generations”. Every year we move further away from the horrific events of the Holocaust, it becomes even more distant, and every year more of our Holocaust survivors pass away... Sadly, as with our Holocaust survivors, in the coming years and decades the direct testimonies of Srebrenica survivors will be merely written ones.
My hon. Friend makes an important point about the gravestones that mark massacres in Bosnia and elsewhere. They emphasise the importance of Holocaust Memorial Day and the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, because millions of people were cremated so that there was no evidence of genocide.
Melanie Ward
Lab
Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy
It is a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Brigg and Immingham who, as so often on topics like this, speaks with great authority... Holocaust education is not just teaching history; it should play a crucial role in combatting antisemitism and hatred, and preventing future genocides.
Kirsty Blackman
SNP
Aberdeen North
Stressed the importance of recognising human value and standing against hatred. Advocated for education as a means to prevent future atrocities, including funding trips to Auschwitz.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Asked Kirsty Blackman about the role of education in addressing issues related to the Holocaust and suggested funding student trips to Auschwitz.
Alex Sobel
Lab/Co-op
Leeds Central and Headingley
Paid tribute to Holocaust survivors, including his father, and emphasised the importance of sharing oral testimonies for educational purposes.
Joani Reid
Lab
East Kilbride and Strathaven
Acknowledged the importance of commemorating the Holocaust for its unique historical significance. Criticised the rise in antisemitism, mentioning specific incidents and individuals involved, including those who trivialise the Holocaust and use antisemitic tropes. Emphasised the need to enforce responsibilities against antisemitism before it is too late.
Winchester
Honoured to speak after passionate speeches, thanked Peter Prinsley for his informative introduction on persecution of Jews in Britain. Discussed the importance of Holocaust Memorial Day and its theme 'Bridging Generations'. Highlighted rising antisemitism and the need for security measures outside places of worship due to recent incidents of violence against Jewish communities.
Paul Holmes
Con
Hamble Valley
Praised fellow Members for their frank, honest contributions in the debate. Paid tribute to Peter Prinsley for his gentlemanly and honourable conduct. Acknowledged that the Holocaust was not an isolated event but part of a broader history of antisemitism.
Alec Shelbrooke
Con
Wetherby and Easingwold
Reminds the House of the horrors of the Holocaust, criticises political parties for failing to vet councillors accused of antisemitism. Calls for action from police following speech highlighting antisemitic incidents.
Martin Vickers
Con
Brigg and Immingham
Stresses the importance of educating young people about genocide, despite dehumanisation and nationalism in parts of the world. Emphasises the need to arm young people with knowledge about such events.
Peter Prinsley
Con
Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket
Opens debate poignantly, focusing on the importance of Holocaust remembrance and combating antisemitism. Emphasises the decline in participation in Holocaust Memorial Day events.
Warrington North
Speaks powerfully about the memories and stories of the dark period, highlighting their profound impact and the importance of sharing them today.
Jas Athwal
Con
Ilford South
Shares a heart-wrenching story of Susan Pollack to highlight the consequences of hate and othering.
Member for Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy
Melanie Ward
Emphasised the rising tide of hate and division, both at home and abroad. Called for a strategy to prevent mass murder based on faith, race, ethnicity or identity.
Member for Aberdeen North
Kirsty Blackman
Stressed the importance of standing up against hate and thanked everyone who does so.
Member for Warrington North
Charlotte Nichols
Spoke with gravitas about the significance of Holocaust education and memorialising victims, suggesting a future as a distinguished rabbi if leaving politics is an option.
Member for Cheadle
Mr Morrison
Mentioned Peter Kurer BEM, honouring his contribution to discussions around Holocaust Memorial Day.
Member for Rochdale
Paul Waugh
Discussed the Windermere children's story and the importance of remembering historical figures like Samantha who were impacted by these events.
Government Response
Emphasises the importance of Holocaust remembrance and combating antisemitism. Discusses recent attacks on Jewish communities in Manchester and Sydney, highlighting the need to address antisemitism as a collective responsibility. Acknowledges the decline in participation in Holocaust Memorial Day events. The Minister discussed the Department for Education’s innovation fund, allocating £7 million to tackle antisemitism in education. Emphasised support for high-quality Holocaust education programmes such as 'Lessons from Auschwitz' and 'Testimony 360'. Highlighted the importance of testimony and education initiatives like the University College London Centre for Holocaust Education.
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