Victory in Europe Day 2025-05-13
2025-05-13
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
▸
Context
Victory in Europe celebrations in Suffolk Coastal last week were a reminder of the importance of remembering lessons from WWII and continuing to press for peace today.
What steps his Department has taken to commemorate Victory in Europe Day. Victory in Europe celebrations in Suffolk Coastal last week were a poignant reminder of the need to continue to press for peace today both in Ukraine and in securing an end to the war in Palestine. Does the Foreign Secretary agree with me that the lessons of world war two must not be forgotten as innocent civilians continue to face violence and warfare here in Europe and in the middle east?
I am grateful to my hon. Friend. It is important to put on the record that the Commonwealth played a tremendous part in the second world war. Our European partners played an important part, and Europe benefited greatly from the sacrifices made to fight fascism. Wherever we see tyranny, we must continue to stand up for the rights of innocent people, and I was proud to spend the next day in Lviv standing with those who are fighting today.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The centenary of the second world war is still far in the future, but there are concerns about repeating past mistakes when commemorating significant historical events.
Will the Foreign Secretary ensure that the UK does not repeat the mistakes of the past when we were rather late coming to the party with the international commemoration of the centenary of the great war? Will he say when we will engage with international partners to start preparing for the centenary of the second world war, and will his Department, the Cabinet Office or the Department for Culture, Media and Sport take the lead?
The right hon. Member asks an important question. Entering my 25th year in Parliament, I am not sure that I will still be in Parliament on that occasion. However, he is right that we commemorate that appropriately, so I will ask the necessary questions in the coming days and update him.
▸
Assessment & feedback
specific timeline for engaging with international partners or lead department
Entering My 25Th Year In Parliament, I Am Not Sure That I Will Still Be In Parliament On That Occasion.
Response accuracy