VE Day: ‘You will always be remembered,’ PM tells Second World War veterans

Boris Johnson has declared that the UK’s response to the coronavirus demands the same effort and courage as the armed forces showed in the Second World War.

In a letter to veterans on the 75th anniversary of VE Day, the prime minister laments that the country will not be able to celebrate with parades and street parties because of the virus.

Mr Johnson has already visited Westminster Abbey to light a candle of remembrance, and he will observe a nationwide two-minute silence on the steps of 10 Downing Street at 11am.

In his emotional letter, the PM writes: “On this anniversary, we are engaged in a new struggle against the coronavirus which demands the same spirit of national endeavour that you exemplified 75 years ago.

“We cannot pay our tribute with the parades and street celebrations we enjoyed in the past; your loved ones may be unable to visit in person.

“But please allow us, your proud compatriots, to be the first to offer our gratitude, our heartfelt thanks and our solemn pledge: you will always be remembered.”

Mr Johnson’s tribute to war heroes comes as he prepares for a TV address about COVID-19 in which he will announce changes to lockdown rules – some of which will come into force on Monday.

In an attempt to downplay expectations raised by the PM in the Commons on Wednesday, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has said changes to the lockdown restrictions will relatively minor.

“Any changes in the short term will be modest, small, incremental and very carefully monitored,” Mr Raab said at the latest daily coronavirus news conference in Downing Street.

“If we find in the future the R level goes back up or that people aren’t following the rules, we must have the ability then to put back measures in place.

“For the moment it is really important, particularly as people look towards a warm bank holiday weekend, that we continue to follow the guidance in place at this time.”

In a VE Day video message, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer praises the creation of the NHS and welfare state by Clement Atlee’s post-war Labour government.

Sir Keir said: “In normal times we would be paying tribute to their achievements in street parties, in gatherings and events at the Cenotaph. This year we can’t do that, this year we can’t be together.

“We commemorate those who stood together for a better future. We remember their service, and also their sacrifice.”

The new Leader of the Opposition has also written for The Daily Telegraph, and said: “We owe so much to the generation of VE Day. We must do everything we can to care and support them through the current crisis.

“We have all heard the harrowing stories of the virus spreading through care homes, with families unable to say their last goodbyes.

“The crisis in our care homes has gone on for too long, and we must do everything we can to protect our most vulnerable, many of whom protected our country in its darkest hour.”

In his letter to veterans, Mr Johnson pays tribute to Sir Winston Churchill, his political hero, of whom he wrote a biography – The Churchill Factor, How One Man Made History – while he was London mayor in 2014.

No doubt mindful of the life-or-death choices he now faces, the PM says Sir Winston took “agonising decisions” and declares: “His leadership was magnificent, yet he was the first to say that it was you, the Britons of that generation, who possessed the lion’s heart; his task was to give the roar.”

Addressing veterans directly, the 55-year-old writes: “Those of us born after 1945 are acutely aware of the debt we owe.

“Without your trial and sacrifice, many of us would not be here at all; if we were, we would surely not be free. To us, you are quite simply the greatest generation of Britons who ever lived.

“Our celebration of the anniversary of the victory might give the impression that Hitler’s downfall was somehow inevitable. You know better.

“You will remember moments of crisis, even desperation, as our country endured setback, defeat and grievous loss.

“What made the difference was your valour, fortitude and quiet yet invincible courage.”

The 75th anniversary of VE Day had been expected to be one of the most memorable events of 2020, with the government moving the May Bank Holiday from Monday to Friday to allow celebrations to take place.

But social distancing requirements have meant the cancellation of a veterans’ procession, street parties, the creation of Victory Park featuring examples of Second World War life in London’s St James’ Park, and broadcasts from public spaces of Churchill’s famous victory speech.

The Queen will make a TV address from Windsor, her second televised message during the coronavirus outbreak, following her 5 April broadcast which concluded with the words of Vera Lynn’s classic wartime anthem: “We will meet again.”

In parliament, VE Day will be marked with tributes by the Speakers of the Commons and the Lords, followed by a wreath laying service in Westminster Hall, to coincide with the two-minute silence at 11am.

A trumpeter from the Band of the Scots Guard will sound the Last Post and Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle will read extracts from a speech given by Churchill in the Commons on May 8 1945, in which he announced the surrender of Germany, bringing the Second World War to an end in Europe.

(c) Sky News 2020: VE Day: ‘You will always be remembered,’ PM tells Second World War veterans