Keir Starmer has said 2025 will be a year for the nation to come together to mark 80 years since the end of World War Two.
The PM said the anniversaries of both Victory in Europe (VE) in May and Victory over Japan (VJ) Day in August will offer a moment to “do that generation proud”.
He told The Mirror: “2025 will be a year to celebrate our country’s history. A chance to come together to commemorate sacrifices made 80 years ago, for our way of life today. At the core of that sacrifice was ordinary people doing extraordinary things. It was extraordinary bravery that shaped our future, and secured our freedom.
“Mirror readers can know, my government will honour that sacrifice by putting the hard working people of this country at the heart of everything we do.”
Last week a poll for The Mirror found almost three quarters – 73% – of the public would back an extra bank holiday to mark the occasions. Downing Street has previously said there are no plans for an additional bank holiday but insisted £10million has been set aside for commemorative events.
It could see a repeat of the 50th anniversary of VE Day in 1995 with street parties held in villages, towns and cities across the country. Celebrations, including street parties, to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day were limited in May 2020 as the country battled with the Covid pandemic.
But 2025 could be one of the last major chances to honour the generation who fought in the war between 1939 and 1945, which claimed the lives of tens of millions globally. It is estimated around 70,000 British veterans of the conflict are still alive today.
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Some, including the former RAF sergeant Bernard Morgan, who celebrated his 100th birthday last year (2024), appeared at the D-Day commemorations in Normandy in June. He landed on Gold Beach in Normandy on D-Day, June 6, 1944, at just 20-years-old.
Another veteran and Mosquito bomber pilot, Colin Bell, who flew in 50 operations over wartime Germany, was honoured this week with a BEM. At the age of 103 he was the oldest person to be recognised in the New Years Honours list.
The Mirror revealed in December that King Charles plans to make a journey to Auschwitz in early 2025 to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi concentration camp. He and senior Royals are also expected to be at the forefront of commemorations for VE Day events across the country this year – reflecting on the moment in May 1945 when Germany surrendered to the Allied forces.
Almost 30 years ago on the 50th anniversary of VE Day, hundreds of thousands of people gathered on The Mall in London to witness a fly-past of the Red Arrows. The late Queen mother, then 95, appeared on the balcony of Buckingham Palace with her daughters Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret in 1995.
In his first New Year message to the nation as PM, Mr Starmer added that the country in 2025 can rediscover “the great nation that we are”. He said: “A nation that gets things done. No matter how hard or tough the circumstances. We will have time to reflect on that this year.
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“A chance, with the 80th anniversary of VE and VJ day. To cherish the greatest victories of this country. And the greatest generation that achieved it. The 8th of May and the 15th of August will both be wonderful moments, to come together and do that generation proud. But that victory – and indeed the peace and the prosperity that followed all rested on that same foundation we must rebuild today. The security of working people. That is the purpose of this Government. “
Mr Starmer also acknowledged the hardships many people continue to face with the cost-of-living. He said: “For many people it’s hard to think about the future when you spend all of your time fighting to get through the week.”
But he vowed: “Until you can look forward and believe in the promise and the prosperity of Britain again, then this Government will fight for you. A fight for change that will define this year, next year, and indeed – every waking hour of this Government.”
It follows a rocky first six months in power for the new Labour government with Mr Starmer’s popularity ratings tumbling after a series of unpopular decisions. He has faced intense criticism over the decision to cut winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners and rejecting compensation payouts for the WASPI women.
But in an attempt to strike a more upbeat tone, the PM said he will push his “Plan for Change”, which includes 1.5million new homes, in the coming year. He said: “That is what we will be focusing on. A year of rebuilding.”
As celebrations were held across the country to bring in the New Year, Mr Starmer also reflected on Labour’s election landslide – turfing the Tories out of power after 14 years.
He said: “2024 was a year of change. Not, sadly, in the football – with another agonisingly close shave for England. But change in politics, with the election of this Labour government in July. And more importantly, with the work of change that we have begun.”