UK Parliamentarians pay tribute to the work of CWGC staff and volunteers

On Tuesday 14 May, to mark War Graves Week, the UK Government scheduled a debate sponsored by CWGC Commissioners The Rt Hon Philip Dunne MP and The Rt Hon Dame Diana Johnson MP in the Chamber of the House of Commons.  

The debate saw MPs of all parties gather to pay tribute to the work of Commission and Foundation staff and volunteers globally in ensuring the memories of those who died in the world wars are honoured in perpetuity. 

CWGC’s Chairman, UK Secretary of State for Defence Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP opened the debate by paying tribute to CWGC’s ‘extraordinary work keeping alive the memories of the 1.7 million men and women who gave their lives in the service of our country the Commonwealth’ before making the House aware of the safe passage of CWGC staff in Gaza to Egypt, news welcomed by all sides of the House.  

Individual MPs described their experiences visiting CWGC sites and memorials around the world, expressing their appreciation for the work of our horticulture and estates teams, and acknowledging the challenges of climate change and political instability. 

As several MPs noted, this was a debate that unified a Chamber more frequently associated with argument and division. This sentiment was articulated by the Armed Forces Minister Leo Docherty MP who said, ‘we have indeed seen the House at its best today, united, respectful and sincerely grateful to the CWGC and to the millions of our forebears who served and sacrificed in the 20th century so that we could be free in the 21st. The Deputy Speaker, Mr Nigel Evans, noted that in his 32 years in Parliament ‘I am hearing some of the finest speeches I have ever heard.’ 

CWGC is proud that the work of staff and volunteers across the Commission has been acknowledged across the political spectrum through such personal and heartfelt contributions made by so many Members of Parliament.  

The full debate is available via Hansard and can be seen on Parliament TV (debate starting at 15:33).