Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Victory in Europe Day

Tuesday 13 May 2025 · 2 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Jenny Riddell-Carpenter asked about steps taken to commemorate Victory in Europe Day.
  • The Foreign Secretary acknowledged the importance of remembering the role of the Commonwealth and Europe in World War II.
  • Dr Andrew Murrison inquired about preparing for the centenary of Victory in Europe Day with international partners.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jenny Riddell-Carpenter Lab Suffolk Coastal
Ukraine Foreign Affairs
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.

Question

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?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (Mr David Lammy)

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.

Answered
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Q2 Andrew Murrison Con South West Wiltshire
Foreign Affairs
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.

Question

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?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (Mr David Lammy)

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: specific timeline for engaging with international partners or lead department

How: Entering My 25Th Year In Parliament, I Am Not Sure That I Will Still Be In Parliament On That Occasion.

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