Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has honoured Britain’s veterans in an open letter ahead of VE Day, hailing their “selfless dedication” and acknowledging a national debt of gratitude that “can never fully be repaid”.
As the country prepares to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day on Thursday, Sir Keir paid tribute to those who served in the Second World War, describing them as the “living link” between the values of the past and the duties of the present.
In his message, the Prime Minister expressed deep appreciation for the sacrifices made by members of the armed forces – both in times of war and peace – and promised that this week’s national commemorations would show how profoundly the country values their service.
“This week, the country will show you just how thankful we all are,” Sir Keir wrote. “The stories we will hear are not just accounts of courage and endurance, but reminders that our victory was not just for Britain. It was also a victory for good against the assembled forces of hatred, tyranny and evil.”
VE Day, celebrated annually on 8 May, marks the moment when Allied forces formally accepted Nazi Germany’s unconditional surrender in 1945, bringing the war in Europe to a close. As the nation falls silent in remembrance this Thursday, the Prime Minister said his thoughts will be with those who risked everything in that conflict – and with today’s servicemen and women who uphold their legacy.
“Alongside our history and our values, service is the other great force that binds a nation together,” he said. “So this week, I want you to know: the whole nation is inspired by the selfless dedication of your example.”
Sir Keir praised veterans and active military personnel alike, highlighting that their sacrifices – often made quietly and without fanfare – represent the very best of Britain.
“It is not just that you keep us all safe. It is also that you represent the best of who we are,” he wrote. “A living link of service that unites the values we must stand for in the present, with the stories we must pass down from our past.”
Drawing on conversations he has had with members of the armed forces, the Prime Minister recounted the words of a submariner stationed at Faslane who had spent over 200 days a year submerged, missing family milestones such as birthdays, weddings and anniversaries.
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“Not being there in the photographs,” Sir Keir reflected. “From the Carrier Strike Group at sea to our postings in Estonia, Cyprus and here in the UK, every service man and woman I have met has had a version of this story. And I recognise that this too is a debt that can never fully be repaid.”
He continued, “But this week, the country will show you just how thankful we all are. Because we know that without your service, the freedom, peace and joy that these celebrations embody would not be possible.”
Thousands are expected to attend VE Day events across the UK, including memorial services, street parties, and commemorative parades. The Royal Family and government representatives will join veterans and their families at key national ceremonies, paying their respects to a generation that reshaped history.
Sir Keir’s message serves not only as a tribute to those who served in 1945 but also as a call to the nation to remember the enduring values that shaped Britain’s wartime resilience – courage, unity and sacrifice.
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