Prime Minister Andy Burnham has pledged to consult the victims and survivors of terrorism about creating a permanent national memorial. Speaking at the inaugural National Day for Victims and Survivors of Terrorism in central London, he said: “We see you, we hear you, we stand with you.”
Ceremony and attendees
The ceremony brought together victims, survivors, bereaved families, emergency responders and Government representatives, who observed a two-minute silence. They heard from security minister Dan Jarvis and survivors including Cheryl Stollery, who lost her husband in the Sousse attack in Tunisia in 2015, and Paul Price, who spent months in hospital after the Manchester Arena attack in which his partner, Elaine McIver, died.
The Prime Minister said in remarks concluding the event that it was a day to “commit to be better, to do better, to take the inspiration from the words we’ve heard from you today, and challenge ourselves to do more”.
Government commitments
He said the Government would look at reforming the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) and access to legal assistance as it seeks to improve conditions for survivors of terrorism. Victims minister Alex Davies-Jones will lead on that work and look at what the UK can learn from countries like Spain and France.
He added: “On the question of consulting you all over a permanent national memorial to the victims and survivors of terrorism, of course, we will do this too, and I make that commitment to you today. Your voices must be at the heart of every decision about how we remember and recognise those affected by terrorism.”
“With your help, we will change the way this country recognises and supports you, but most importantly, from here, obviously, those in some ways coming after you because that’s what this country should do.”
Survivors’ voices
Paul Price told the event that “recognition is not about dwelling on the past” but rather “acknowledging the ongoing reality of that past in the present”. He said: “When a nation remembers its victims and survivors, it says your lives matter, your losses matter, and we will not look away. Silence and invisibility compound the original injury.”
He said he hoped the national day would tell those affected by terrorism that they are not alone. He added: “Your experience is valued, and your resilience is part of the nation’s strength. Terrorism seeks to destroy hope and fracture communities. Our answer must be the opposite. Hope is possible. Resilience can be built. Support exists, and more is needed.”
