Politics
Government commits to building Westminster Holocaust memorial
Holocaust Memorial Bill was welcomed by Jewish groups
July 17, 2024 14:19
Holocaust Memorial Bill was welcomed by Jewish groups
July 17, 2024 14:19The new government’s commitment to a Holocaust Memorial Learning Centre at the heart of Westminster has been welcomed by Jewish groups.
The Holocaust Memorial Bill, announced as part incoming government’s new legislative programme, enables the government to deliver build the memorial in next to Parliament in Victoria Tower Gardens.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said: “The evil and brutality of the Holocaust is a stark reminder of what can happen when hatred and intolerance go unchallenged. We must make sure those who died are never forgotten.
“This Bill will mean future generations continue to learn lessons from the past and help to build a more unified, tolerant future.
“The cross-party unity on this shows the importance of this Bill and I encourage Peers to continue this unified front during the debate.”
The Jewish Leadership Council (JLC)’s Director of Public Affairs Russell Langer told the JC, “We welcome the inclusion of the Holocaust Memorial Bill in today's King's Speech programme. The national memorial and learning centre at the heart of our democracy will be an important focal point for Holocaust education. We welcome the cross-party support for the bill as demonstrated by its continuation despite the change in government. We now hope the bill will complete its passage swiftly to enable the project to advance.”
Karen Pollock CBE, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust said: “We are very grateful to the Government for re-introducing the Holocaust Memorial Bill. With the Holocaust fading further into history and survivors becoming fewer and frailer, the need for progress on building the memorial and learning centre next to Parliament has never been more urgent.
“With antisemitism surging in the UK and around the world, we must be more determined than ever to show exactly where this pernicious hate can and did lead.”
The Board of Deputies also welcomed the announcement and said in a statement, “Moving forward with the planned National Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre has been a longstanding policy ask of the Board of Deputies, repeated this year in our 2024 Jewish Manifesto.”
Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis said: “This recommitment by our new Government to creating a permanent Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre, on a most suitable site, sends a timely message, not only about our national undertaking to remembering this dark period of our history but, more importantly, about the kind of future we want to create together.”
The Holocaust Memorial Bill was introduced in the last parliament by the previous Conservative government.
However, it did not progress through Parliament before this month’s general election. The bill was one of the few items of legislation allowed to be “carried over” into the new Parliament.
It will “disapply” relevant sections of the London County Council (Improvements) Act 1900 that have prevented construction in Victoria Tower Gardens.