Presiding Officer, on this, the 80th anniversary of victory in Europe day, Scotland pays tribute to our second world war generation. We express our gratitude to the 57,000 individuals from Scotland who lost their lives in military conflict during the second world war and to the many civilians who were killed or injured at home. They gave of themselves so that we could enjoy freedom today.
We will all naturally think about how the lives of our own families were affected. I think of my uncle, Thomas Hunter, who was killed in Italy protecting his comrades 35 days before the end of the war and who was posthumously awarded the Victoria cross by King George VI. An inscription on the bible that was given to my grandmother in his memory has the words of St John:
“Greater love has no one than this to lay down their life for their friends.”
The lessons and the suffering of the second world war must be remembered today, so that we all act to protect the freedom and the democracy that we have enjoyed as a result. Together, we give thanks and dedicate ourselves to building a better, safer and more peaceful world.
12:03
Eighty years ago today, the guns fell silent across Europe. At 3 pm on 8 May 1945, Prime Minister Winston Churchill made a radio announcement to the people of our country. After six long and dark years of death and destruction, victory for Britain and our allies against Nazi Germany was secured.
World war two was the largest and deadliest conflict in history. It involved more than 50 nations and was fought on land, at sea and in the air. Globally, it is estimated that as many as 85 million lives were lost. Tens of thousands of Scots were killed at home and abroad.
For those of us who have only ever known peace and prosperity, the horrors of war are unimaginable. None of us here can truly appreciate the selfless sacrifice, duty and bravery of the greatest generation, who fought and died for our freedom. Today, on victory in Europe day, we remember them.
12:04
Today, on VE day, we pause to remember the courage, sacrifice and unity that brought an end to the war in Europe 80 years ago. We honour those who served on the front lines and those who kept life going at home. In Scotland, Britain and beyond, we remember those who gave everything for the fight against fascism—the greatest tyranny that we have ever faced. Their bravery shaped the democracy that we cherish today.
Remembrance must also inspire responsibility, first and foremost to those who served and those who serve our country today. We must protect our freedoms, stand up to hatred and division and build a fairer, more compassionate country, just as that generation hoped that we would. We remember them, we thank them, we pledge to carry their values forward and we continue to strive for a world at peace.
12:05
On this 80th anniversary, marking the end of a dark chapter in history, we remember the sacrifices that were made by all who stood against the tyranny of fascism. Their courage and resilience ensured our freedom, peace and democracy. We will forever be grateful to them.
Peace is not merely the absence of war; it is the presence of harmony, understanding and co-operation among nations. Yet, currently, we are witnessing the horrors of genocide continuing in Gaza, and fascism has reappeared, threatening democracy and human rights as the far right rises around the world. We cannot be complacent in the face of growing threats of fascism, international violence, hatred and oppression. We must continue to strive to build a world where peace endures and the horrors of the past are not repeated. We must remain vigilant and united in our efforts to create lasting peace by supporting democracy, justice and human rights for all.
12:07
Today, we commemorate the moment when, 80 years ago, the high command of the allied forces received the unconditional surrender of the Third Reich. Although war still raged in the Pacific, across these islands, for the first time in six years, the tension, grind and privations of wartime gave way to lasting peace.
In a radio broadcast to the British people and the world, King George VI said:
“on this day of just triumph and proud sorrow”,
let us
“take up our work again, resolved as a people to do nothing unworthy of those who died for us and to make the world such a world as they would have desired, for their children and for ours.”
His words ushered in the long peace that most of us have only ever known.
As we give thanks today for the sacrifice that was laid down by the generations that came before us, we must rededicate ourselves to the promise of that peace and its furtherance for our children and theirs to come.
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