Today marks 75 years since the end of the Second World War in Europe. Today is Victory in Europe Day.
On the 8th of May 1945 the Allies accepted Nazi Germany’s unconditional surrender. It was a time where many across Europe celebrated peace at last. In the UK millions of people took to the streets in jubilation that after nearly six years of war the battle was nearly over.
We must not forget the horrors of Nazism, and the millions of innocent people murdered. The Holocaust remains the gravest human rights abuse in the history of mankind, and we must never allow anything like that to happen again.
We must remember those who went to fight in this war for us and celebrate their contribution. As much as people were celebrating the end of the war back in 1945, they were celebrating that they were finally able to look forward to a peaceful life and to rebuilding after so many years of devastation.
Under usual circumstances we would be celebrating today in a similar manner, when I was a kid, I remember the street parties we used to have. Where neighbours would hang out bunting and Union flags, we would enjoy food and each other’s company.
But you know as well as I do that today can’t be celebrated like a normal VE Day, Covid-19 and the pandemic we face means we must change the way we celebrate. I’m sure up and down Oldham, Chadderton and Royton there’ll be some inventive ways of celebrating VE Day as a community together whilst remaining sensible.
Whether it’s just by putting a poster that you found online up in the window, or it’s sitting down and making one with the kids to display. Or you might even be holding a virtual street party with your neighbours and friends.
Whatever it is that you’re doing to mark VE Day, let’s reflect and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice and those who returned home as heroes, so that we can live in peace today and enjoy the life that we do.
Let us remember our generational responsibility to commit to a world of peace, unity and harmony.
We’ll meet again
Jim McMahon OBE MP 