Ian Lavery MP column - 'Remembrance Day: A Time To Reflect'

It’s a time to reflect deeply, to remember young lives from our area which were lost and to contemplate their immense sacrifice.

It is also a sombre reminder of the massive moral responsibilities MPs have if they are asked to approve sending those now in uniform into combat.

When we ask our military to fight on our behalf, it has to be with certainty that it is for a just cause.

There are terrible examples in the past when the UK has gone to war only to serve the global interests of the elite or because of political leaders’ blinkered ideological stances.

There are times when the threat to people’s lives and freedoms are so great that war is necessary.

In 1939, fascist Nazi Germany believed it had a divine right to rule all of Europe and to destroy ‘lesser’ beings.

It enslaved nations and its pernicious racism resulted in the Holocaust.

Hitler was a mortal threat to Britain and all of Europe – his regime had to be resisted at all costs.

We remain rightfully proud of our collective effort to defeat fascism.

On Remembrance Day, we think of the lives lost and mourn them all.

Doing so should strengthen our resolve to avoid war, especially the unjustifiable conflicts such as in the past.

Nevertheless, these are dangerous, uncertain times and peace is not guaranteed.

We have to strive to ensure that the lessons of the past guide us to make the right decisions in the future.

Lives depend on it.

Residents in the Blyth and Ashington constituency can contact my office by calling 01670 852494 or emailing [email protected] and there are also regular updates that are posted on my Facebook page (Ian Lavery MP).