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Holocaust Memorial Bill - Clause 1 (Changing the London County Council (Improvements) Act 1900)
28 June 2023
Lead MP
Michael Gove
Debate Type
Bill Debate
Tags
Community SecurityLocal Government
Other Contributors: 36
At a Glance
Michael Gove raised concerns about holocaust memorial bill - clause 1 (changing the london county council (improvements) act 1900) in the House of Commons. Other MPs contributed to the debate.
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 amendment seeks to change the London County Council (Improvements) Act 1900, ensuring a fitting national memorial and learning centre for Holocaust victims in Victoria Tower gardens. The purpose is to honour the commitment made by previous governments, ensure public consultation has been extensive, highlight rising antisemitism, underscore the importance of historical education, and emphasise the need for prompt action.
John Baron
Con
Basildon and Billericay
Raises concerns about a lack of public consultation and opposition from Westminster City Council. Suggests the memorial should be in a location chosen after wider consultation.
Peter Bottomley
Con
Worthing West
Questions whether there was any public consultation between September 2015 and January 2016 regarding the memorial's location. Requests clarification on this matter.
Carmarthen East and Dinefwr
Raises concerns about environmental protections for Victoria Tower gardens and inquires about funding the Jewish Museum to preserve recognition of Holocaust history. Also asks how the memorial will complement the Thomas Fowell Buxton monument.
Andrea Leadsom
Con
South Northamptonshire
Supports swift action on establishing a national holocaust memorial, noting that there are now few Holocaust survivors and thus urgent need to proceed. Emphasises the importance of the memorial being in a prominent location.
Stephen Crabb
Con
Preseli Pembrokeshire
Agrees with the Secretary of State's arguments, stating that Westminster is an ideal location due to its proximity to Parliament and importance in our history.
Bob Blackman
Con
Harrow East
Agrees that Jewish people objecting mainly do so because of the lengthy process rather than the location itself, advocating for prompt establishment of the memorial.
Lisa Nandy
Lab
Wigan
Labour strongly supports this Bill for a national memorial to mark and remember the Holocaust. The speaker emphasises the importance of political courage in combating antisemitism, which remains prevalent in modern society. She highlights the need to educate future generations about the horrors of the past and stresses the significance of the memorial's location near the Palace of Westminster as a symbol of commitment to remembering and preventing history from repeating itself.
Ashley Dalton
Lab
West Lancashire
Acknowledges the importance of the memorial in remembering the Holocaust's truths and learning its lessons, especially after her predecessor was targeted due to allyship with the Jewish community.
Debbie Abrahams
Lab
Oldham East and Saddleworth
Agrees with the Secretary of State about the importance of positioning the memorial near Parliament to symbolize the nation's commitment to remembering past horrors.
Bury South
Supports the memorial as an essential educational facility for learning lessons from the Holocaust and ensuring its events are never repeated. Urges swift action to honour holocaust survivors while they are alive.
Margaret Hodge
Lab
Barking
Emphasises the importance of stopping debates about location and moving forward with placing the memorial in a central London site for maximum visibility and accessibility.
James Duddridge
Con
Castle Point
Raises concerns that despite support, the process could be long due to Select Committee involvement, suggesting potential delays contrary to the bill's goal of swift progress.
John Baron
Con
Basildon and Billericay
Acknowledges the sincerity of those opposing the memorial's siting within the Jewish community, citing several individuals who are against the chosen location.
Peter Bottomley
Con
Worthing West
Mr Bottomley expresses concern over the lack of public consultation and the proposed site in Victoria Tower Gardens. He mentions that his amendment does not kill clause 1, which he supports due to its necessity for legislative authority on future payments.
Kirsten Oswald
SNP
East Renfrewshire
The hon. Member supports the construction of a Holocaust memorial in London, focusing on education and remembrance to ensure that history is preserved as time passes and survivors become fewer. She cites concerns raised by the Chief Rabbi and Karen Pollock from the Holocaust Educational Trust about the urgency of completing the memorial. She also highlights the importance of ensuring accessibility for holocaust survivors' testimonies, especially after the closure of the Jewish Museum in London due to funding issues.
Nickie Aiken
Con
Westminster North
Argues against building the memorial at Victoria Tower Gardens due to concerns over loss of green space, environmental impacts from construction, and design issues. Emphasises the importance of local community parks in densely populated urban areas.
Christine Jardine
Lib Dem
Edinburgh West
Intervenes to highlight the importance of the memorial's location for future generations and as a reminder about the dangers of racism and antisemitism.
Intervenes to clarify that the loss is not permanent but temporary during construction. Acknowledges concerns about park disruption during the building phase.
John Baron
Con
Basildon and Billericay
Raises concerns about lack of consultation, noting that Westminster City Council had initially rejected the proposal. Suggests that up to 30% of the park will be lost.
Peter Bottomley
Con
Worthing West
Points out discrepancies in Government claims regarding consultation and local council support for calling in the application.
Jon Trickett
Lab
Normanton and Hemsworth
Mr. Trickett argued that a monument to the Holocaust should be placed alongside other monuments in Parliament Square, as it reflects on important historical struggles for emancipation. He emphasised the importance of fighting antisemitism and racism, drawing from his family's history and personal experiences.
Mr. Bottomley suggested that the holocaust memorial could be placed where the Buxton family memorial was previously located, which is also in Parliament Square, proposing a different site from the one currently proposed by the Government.
Mr. Raab acknowledged Mr. Trickett's personal account, expressing concern about losing the living testimony from holocaust survivors without having a powerful memorial in place.
I rise to speak in favour of the Bill, which I am pleased to see presented to the House for its Second Reading. The need for a permanent memorial and learning centre to remember the lives of those who perished in the holocaust has never been more pressing. As the number of survivors dwindles, our generation must ensure that the lives lost are not forgotten. The placement of a permanent physical memorial adjacent to Parliament is crucial as it serves as a stark reminder of the atrocities committed during the holocaust and places the UK on par with other nations in demonstrating its commitment to remembering this tragedy. Additionally, the rise in antisemitism necessitates educational efforts to combat hate; the learning centre will educate people about the horrors of the holocaust and help prevent future occurrences of such prejudice.
Rosie Duffield
Ind
Canterbury
I support the construction of the holocaust memorial and learning centre. The memorial should be located near the heart of British democracy to serve as a permanent signpost of our commitment to human rights and rejection of anti-Jewish racism. It serves as a reminder that we must act against mass murder, racial injustice, and acts of terror worldwide. Reflecting on our recent past regarding antisemitism is necessary; the memorial will help ensure such issues are not ignored in the future. A tangible reminder on our doorstep keeps us vigilant against hate crimes and helps educate people about the horrors faced during the holocaust.
Priti Patel
Con
Witham
Welcomes the Bill and the proposed memorial, emphasising its importance as a reminder of the horrors of the Holocaust. Supports the location in Victoria Tower Gardens despite sensitivities, advocating for respect towards the Jewish community's loss and ongoing challenges with antisemitism. Highlights the work of educational trusts and schools in promoting awareness and education on genocide.
Mr. Crabb supports the Bill, emphasising its significance as a national project to commemorate the holocaust and promote education on this subject. He acknowledges the cross-party consensus supporting the memorial project, praising the work of co-chairs Lord Pickles and Ed Balls, alongside organisations such as the Holocaust Educational Trust and the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust. Crabb also highlights the importance of preserving memories through a national memorial near Westminster, expressing hope that the Bill will pass with strong support.
Edward Leigh
Con
Gainsborough
Leigh argues that Victoria Tower gardens is unsuitable due to space constraints, potential flooding risks, and the impact on views of Westminster. He suggests alternative locations such as the Imperial War Museum or College Green for a more fitting memorial. Leigh emphasises the importance of preserving green spaces in a crowded area and stresses the need for a compromise.
Bob Blackman
Con
Harrow East
The holocaust memorial will complement existing memorials, such as the Buxton memorial in Victoria Tower Gardens. The proposed development is sensitive and respectful to the park's environment, with only 7.5% of the area being used for the memorial and learning centre. There are prominent supporters within the Jewish community who back the project, and it aligns with the recommendations of the Holocaust Commission.
Andy McDonald
Lab
Middlesbrough and Thornaby East
Agrees that visits to sites like Auschwitz reinforce the devastating impact of the holocaust, making it imperative to ensure these events are not forgotten. Supports the inclusion of holocaust education in school syllabuses.
Edward Leigh
Con
Gainsborough
Questions the size and impact of the proposed memorial compared to existing memorials, suggesting it would overshadow other sites like the Buxton memorial.
Greenwich and Woolwich
Supports the Bill, emphasising the importance of remembering the Holocaust and educating future generations. Acknowledges criticisms but believes the project should proceed to ensure completion while survivors are still alive.
Edward Leigh
Con
Gainsborough
[INTERVENTION] Emphasises Britain's role in fighting Nazism and fascism from the start of World War II to its end, supporting the construction of the memorial.
[INTERVENTION] Points out that the cost of the project has risen significantly due to inflation and compares it unfavorably with similar projects abroad, questioning its value for money.
Nickie Aiken
Con
Cities of London and Westminster
Interjected briefly during Felicity Buchan's speech, questioning whether the placement of the memorial in Victoria Tower gardens will change the park's character from a neighbourhood park to a civic area.
Peter Bottomley
Con
Basildon and Billericay
Puts forward the reasoned amendment opposing the placement of the memorial in Victoria Tower gardens. However, he withdraws his amendment without further debate.
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