VE day

Let us salute  all those who brought about a great victory in 1945. The best way we can remember and honour them is to ensure we cherise and use the freedoms they fought so hard to maintain.

120 Comments

  1. Jessica Hallom
    May 8, 2020

    “and use the freedoms they fought so hard to maintain” to lock up our people and transfer wealth to the elite.
    I’m not sure how anyone has the gaul to celebrate VE day this year.

    1. Cheshire Girl
      May 8, 2020

      Well, I have the ‘gaul’ to celebrate, as, I’m sure, do many others.

      It it had not been for the sacrifices during World War Two, I, and so many others, would not have been living in a free Country.

      That is something I never forget!

    2. jerry
      May 8, 2020

      @Jessica Hallom; Because VE & VJ-Day has nothing what so ever to do with the current crisis, my father almost gave his life for yours and my freedoms, he lost many regimental mates and school mates (in another regiment), he carried his physical and mental wounds for the rest of his life, so yes I will remember, although celebrate might be a little strong! Eeven without CV19 I would not be partying but reflecting, as I did in 1995 [1] -and so should you, for without VE-Day you would not have the freedom of speech you have.

      [1] strange but I have no recollection of any VE-Day celebrations in 1970, the 25th anniversary. Might we only need to have such a one-nation “knees-up” when the nation is troubled, as it is today, even without CV19, and as it was in 1995?

    3. APL
      May 8, 2020

      Jessica Hallom: “to lock up our people and transfer wealth to the elite.”

      Exactly. Shameful betrayal of those that fought and died for this country.

    4. bigneil(newercomp)
      May 8, 2020

      Agreed – and on the radio earlier a man was saying how sad it is to see ex-forces homeless on the street . . . . . .Meanwhile Border farce ferry people in for a free life. with many of their family to come shortly after. Those who fought to keep this country free did so in vain.

    5. Martin in Cardiff
      May 8, 2020

      One of the specific points on which I agree with Peter Hitchens is his analysis of the UK’s role in WWII, and of the US’s for joining it.

      It’s easy enough to find.

    6. ukretired123
      May 8, 2020

      Please show some respect for one day please.

    7. Dave Ward
      May 8, 2020

      Not so much gaul, as a sense of shame and embarrassment. The few fighters still alive must wonder why they bothered…

      1. Fred H
        May 8, 2020

        It will have taken almost as long to free ourselves of the clutches of the EU/ Brexit campaign, as to battle against the Nazis to eventual so-called freedom.

        1. glen cullen
          May 8, 2020

          The irony of your comments aren’t misplaced

        2. Martin in Cardiff
          May 9, 2020

          It’s the UK which keeps requesting extensions Fred, not the European Union.

          1. Fred H
            May 9, 2020

            not the people Martin, the pretend to be Brexit seekers in Government, Judiciary, Media who have found any excuse not to just walk away – which is what the majority wanted all along.
            The EU is perfectly happy to shore up the joke of a budget by the UK’s ÂŁ1bn per month.

          2. Martin in Cardiff
            May 9, 2020

            Polls say that there should be an extension now, Fred, whatever they might have said previously.

            But whatever, it’s not the European Union asking for it.

    8. Ian
      May 8, 2020

      I have similar feelings as Jessica.
      I will and do salute all of the fallen in this Nation and in the US plus All those in the Commonwealth.

      Quite how those in Government who have always given in to the EU , rolled over, and are now rolling over to the Chinese, we have already allowed them to build HS2, oh so we cannot stop that, the Chinese are doing it.

      We cannot possibly stop them doing 5 G .

      Why is it that I feel that this is yet another kick in the teeth to our very best and our longest standing friends , the non other than the 5 Eyes.

      Why do I see the dead hand of May and Major and all the others including most civil servants. This is yet more betrayal be those we so depend on to do right by this nation.
      I mean why were we short of sufficient hospital cloths, there was supposed to be sufficient for the next germ, some how we get caught by this germ war fair again, this is the third time is it not, and am I right in saying they have all come from China ?
      I imagine there will again be No inquiry Ito this latest foul up ?

      I have said before the gathering at the Cenotaph by all those in this Government a nd the previous Governments , to stand there with the real heroes ? Disgraceful

      When was the last time anyone was brought to book for Treachery in Government?

    9. Lynn Atkinson
      May 8, 2020

      Thank God few of the greatest generation are here to see how we use their great gift. To cower in a cupboard?

  2. a-tracy
    May 8, 2020

    Are you being ironic?
    We shouldn’t have lost one life then for our politicians to give up our freedom later. The only relief I have is that at least those British lives lost saved other oppressed nations and people whose children don’t seem to mind other nations deciding the rules to live their lives by.

  3. hefner
    May 8, 2020

    Asterix?

  4. Lynn Atkinson
    May 8, 2020

    I’m afraid I’m actually shocked at the proposed extension to the lockdown, this cannot go on. We did not achieve VE Day by having a PM cowering in a cupboard. I’m really sorry that Boris has botched this so comprehensively. He has to go.

    1. glen cullen
      May 8, 2020

      Completely agree

  5. glen cullen
    May 8, 2020

    Our parents fought against tyranny to establish our freedoms and democracy

    Something we now take for granted and something so easily removed by corrupt governments

    We need to celebrate their sacrifice

  6. formula57
    May 8, 2020

    Agreed.

    Let us recall as we assess performance in the current crisis that the Government of those days could rely upon the population possessing and exhibiting common sense and moral fibre.

  7. Newmania
    May 8, 2020

    The men and women who fought in the last war would not have understood the irresponsible appeals to narrow and xenophobic Nationalism that animates the Conservative Party. The mendacious slurs against migrants and ethnic minorities ( many of whom are on today’s front line ) would have disgusted them.
    The young men and women of the war and the young people today deserve better than this perpetual yesterday

    1. Edward2
      May 8, 2020

      Got any actual examples for your slur?

  8. Anonymous
    May 8, 2020

    I’m ashamed of our generation. In 1968 a flu swept through this land which killed 80,000. Astronauts on Apollo 8 took ill but continued their mission, three years later Americans landed on the moon, London never stopped swinging.

    We have failed to protect the Chelsea Pensioners despite cowering in our caves and because of our gross incompetence.

  9. The Prangwizard
    May 8, 2020

    Are you addressing your party’s government? I can’t say it has done much to protect our freedoms, our culture and beliefs.

    Quite the contrary in fact.

    When will it stop acting against our interests and promote and give priority to our indiginous beliefs.

  10. NickC
    May 8, 2020

    I will remember them:
    My father, who fended off the Italians, and the rather more brutal Africans on their side, whilst running a repair shop for tanks and trucks, and then running a PoW camp.
    My mother, who was a single parent for 5 years whilst my father was away, and who was bombed twice.
    My uncle, who flew into France on Lysanders.
    My other uncle, who with appalling eyesight, served in the Home guard, and was the only one of my family to die in the war.
    My father-in-law, who fought the Russians, escaped Katyn by the skin of his teeth, spent 2 years as a guest of “Uncle Joe” in Siberia, was freed by Churchill, and fought at Monte Casino with the Polish army.

  11. ukretired123
    May 8, 2020

    VE 75th Anniversary today to remember those who sacrificed their today’s for our tomorrows.
    At the going down of the sun
    And in the morning we will remember them
    We Will remember them!

    Out of a lot of bad came a lot of good. Today we celebrate our hard won freedom and thank God for our parents generations.

    One cannot underestimate what the previous two fantastic generations did and how close the world came to disaster and from which we can take heart. May the millions who died Rest in Peace and we cannot thank you and respect what you sacrificed for us all.

  12. Pominoz
    May 8, 2020

    A momentous day – especially for me.

    I am so grateful that I am as old as anyone who has never experienced war in Europe during their lifetime.

    The sacrifices made by so many before I was born were immense. The true British sense of right and justice, fought for so hard by so many brave people must not be diminished by self-serving individuals now, whether they be in political power or have unjustified and unearned levels of influence through MSM.

    There is a great future for all Britons, wherever they happen to be in the world. We must remain strong and steadfast, positive and optimistic. An undoubtedly different, but nevertheless rewarding and exciting, life awaits. Grasp it!

    1. Lynn Atkinson
      May 8, 2020

      We must remember that neither Britain or her Dominions were attacked. We are not in the same category as the Russians or Poles. We fought for what we believe is our and humanities right! I’m very proud of that, and of my RN grandfather and his 1st WW friend, Queenie Claydon who worked their way back home from SA on a Union Castle line (because they were rejected as being too old when they volunteered) and joined the merchant navy where they made their contribution second time around, of my father who was on the training ship when war broke out, and who was a navigation officer in his teens, protecting convoys across the Atlantic and then into subs, of my uncle who signed up and was posted to the Bluff in Durban, deserted and signed up again in Johannesburg (with his uniform in his bag) under his mother’s maiden name. He fought in the desert.
      They were nothing out of the ordinary, Britons stood up in their million, never whinged, did what was required and then a lot more.
      And for what? Surrender to the EU – to Germany for Gods sake!
      We were just able to hold our heads up when Boris put us all under house arrest.
      Funny old world….

      1. Narrow Shoulders
        May 9, 2020

        Battle of Britain?

        Doodlebugs?

      2. Fred H
        May 9, 2020

        ‘We must remember that neither Britain or her Dominions were attacked.’
        Correct.
        But we did have defence agreements in place with countries who Hitler’s German forces invaded.
        Battle of Britain mean anything to you?

  13. Mark B
    May 8, 2020

    Hear hear !

  14. Ian Wragg
    May 8, 2020

    Destroyed by a penstroke because of a particularly virulent flu strain.
    What a disaster.
    Priti Patel Patel making another hollow pledge on the channel taxi service when another 60 professionals are ferried across.
    If the Germans invaded today, no doubt the RN would be mobilized to assist.

    1. NickC
      May 8, 2020

      I think Priti Patel means well, it’s just that the Home Office mandarins are used to running rings round the ministers sent to them. She tried, they squawked loudly in public, she got reined in. And so it goes.

      1. Mark B
        May 9, 2020

        Thanks to Alexander Johnson MP’s predecessor, we can no longer consider these people as ‘illegal’ immigrants. Personally I consider them criminals, as it is a crime to enter a foreign country without proper authorization. So by coming here in the way that they do they have committed a crime with the first footstep upon our shores. And nobody in government thinks it wrong. Shameful !

        1. glen cullen
          May 9, 2020

          concur

  15. Stop the tricks
    May 8, 2020

    There WILL be a spike when they lift the lock down caused BY the lockdown (loss of immunity), it will be a spike in all sorts of illness (they will label covid 19) and thus justify us going back into lockdown (they have found the perfect trick).

    1. glen cullen
      May 9, 2020

      You could be correct howeer they’ll spin it

  16. Andy
    May 8, 2020

    I will never forget standing on the beach at Arromanches looking out at the remains of the Mulberry Harbour. Marvelling at how proud those brave, brave men would have been of the peaceful, prosperous, harmonious Europe we created in the 70 odd years from the end of the war until Brexit.

    Most of us learned the lessons of their sacrifice. It’s a shame the hard right and hard left did not.

    1. BeebTax
      May 8, 2020

      I think they would have represented a variety of opinions concerning the Europe we have created: some delighted, some appalled, and some ambivalent..

    2. Fred H
      May 8, 2020

      they may have helped Germany to become prosperous once again, but harmonious? don’t make me laugh – its the wrong day for that sort of sick humour.

    3. Everhopeful
      May 8, 2020

      They fought..and we have to keep on fighting.
      There is always an oppressor to defeat.
      Vigilance is key and the EU taught our politicians to be unwary, weak, indecisive and untruthful and the people followed.
      I imagine that those on the Left like the EU because it destroys nationalism.

    4. Edward2
      May 8, 2020

      There aren’t 17.4 million hard left and hard right voters in the UK
      Yet again you just cannot properly analyse nor understand a popular vote.

      1. bill brown
        May 9, 2020

        Edward 2

        First there was Singapore and not South Korea, then there was giving territory freely after the British Empire and the 1000 refugees with Corona virus.
        What is next?

        1. Edward2
          May 9, 2020

          Yet again you baffle me with your odd comments.
          What on earth are you going on about?

          1. hefner
            May 9, 2020

            Edward2, two things:
            May I respectfully point out that Andy is only writing ‘hard right and hard left’, no mention of numbers.
            May I as respectfully remind you that only some small(ish) activist minorities are needed to take the power. The Bolshevik party created in 1912 only had 100,000 members in November 1917. The Nazi party (created as the DAP in 1919) only had about 2 m members in 1933 (total population: 66 m). Even so either through a revolution or through successive votes (vote to the Nazi party: 1928, 2.6%; 1930, 18.3%, 1932, 37.3%, 1933, 43.9%) they got to power.

            So Andy’s point is not ridiculous. It should be something that people should keep in mind.

          2. Edward2
            May 9, 2020

            I guessed you might join in hef.
            Andy spoke of the hard right and hard left.
            The elections since 1945 show no relish in the UK for electing extremist candidates from either side.
            Andy’s point is ridiculous as can be shown by the way we vote and the way we continue to vote here in the UK.
            Our record is clear.

            Your historic examples from Russia and Germany are not related nor relevant.

          3. bill brown
            May 10, 2020

            your lack of proper facts

          4. Edward2
            May 10, 2020

            bil
            In your post which I have now deciphered from your Five word clue, you make three claims.
            The first is correct.
            In a post many days ago I wrote South Korea instead of saying Singapore.
            I then posted, saying this was my error and stating I meant to say Singapore.

            Your other two claims are completely wrong.
            Firstly, in a post many days ago I did not say all British Empire territories were given independence freely.
            But that many were and are still happy members of the Commonwealth.

            Your third claim is also wrong.
            I never said all 1000 illegal immigrants arriving dingies were Covid positive.
            Just that there is no proper screening of them nor any requirements for them to quarantine.

            Get your facts right bill.

      2. hefner
        May 10, 2020

        Edward2, so my examples are not related nor relevant. Thanks for that.
        Have you ever considered that the absence of openly extremists at Westminster is simply the result of the voting system. Could it be that thanks to it both main parties are simply incorporating their fringe members?
        Do I understand correctly that for you it is a good thing?
        To me it is clear that with a more proportional system (as in the European elections) the range of expressed opinions becomes much wider and more diverse. Is this good or bad?

    5. Ian Wragg
      May 8, 2020

      No doubt WW3 will be due to Brexit. I’ve just been to the shop for some Dry Ginger and the lady says there’s a Brexit induced shortage because we can’t Import the bubbles.

    6. NickC
      May 8, 2020

      Andy, You are the ideal candidate for Walther Funk’s post war European union project. Which is exactly what all the members of my family (four men) who saw service in WW2 fought against. They fought for national independence in Europe, not for your corrupt, anti-democratic EU empire.

    7. czerwonadupa
      May 8, 2020

      70 years of harmony? You have a very poor memory.
      Poland suffered 50 years of dictatorship from ’39 to ’89 under German & Russian dictators. So you don’t remember the tanks in the streets of Poznan during the Trade Fair in ’56? The Hungarian Uprising in ’56 which was crushed with 500,000 Warsaw Pact soldiers invading? You no doubt haven’t visited the House of Terror in Budapest to see what the Communists did later?. Or the crushing of the Prague Spring in ’68 again by Soviet tanks or the tanks patrolling the streets of Poland after Marshal Law was declared, with the secret police searching for Solidarity members, or the harrowing pictures of starving prisoners reminiscent of Auschwitz from the former Yugoslavia. or the annexing of the Crimea by Putin, the shooting down of a civilian plane crossing the Ukraine? ?Or don’t these countries count as being in your cosy vision of a harmonious & peaceful Europe because your eyes were shielded from them by the Iron Curtain?
      Harmony in deed.

      1. Edward2
        May 8, 2020

        Great post.
        Well said.

      2. rose
        May 8, 2020

        Unfortunately, the history of Europe isn’t really taught in our schools. Nor do our broadcasters pay the Continent much attention. They have always preferred going to America on lavish expenses.

        The outrages you mention here – and they are the tip of the iceberg – are unknown to people like Andy. When the Russians won their bit of the war, they made sure all this sort of thing was suppressed, to the extent that a doctrine developed to establish that there are no enemies on the left.

        1. hefner
          May 9, 2020

          Where have you been all these years?
          I remember well my father being not pleased with me in November ‘56 as I had told him (at 5) that I loved the tanks. Years later he was still reminding me of this story, specially when after the ‘excitement’ of the French May ‘68 came the cold shower of Prague’s August ‘68.
          I followed the Gdansk/Walesa /Solidarnosc saga and the Jaruzelski aftermath in the ‘80s.
          So I agree it was not taught in schools (too recent) but there was not such a black-out on news from continental Europe for people like my father who wanted to know these things and was keen on sharing them every time there was a family reunion.
          So to conclude it might have depended on your upbringing.

          1. rose
            May 9, 2020

            When I was 5, we were packing up parcels for the Hungarians. I wanted to put in my best toy, a beautiful rainbow humming top. But it was made in Russia so I was wracked with doubt. In the end it was sent. I have never stopped feeling guilty about our not being able to save them, which at that age I hoped we would. So maybe it did depend on one’s upbringing. All I know is, when I got to university no-one seemed to have a clue about any of it, including the dons. They did know about the Holocaust and South Africa, though, and, of course, America.

        2. Martin in Cardiff
          May 9, 2020

          Their “bit” of it?

          You mean, basically “the war”, don’t you?

          At a cost of twenty-five million lives, four hundred thousand in taking Berlin alone.

          1. Edward2
            May 9, 2020

            The price of your freedom today.

    8. Anonymous
      May 8, 2020

      I know a few veterans. They ALL voted Leave.

      1. Martin in Cardiff
        May 9, 2020

        Only people like that would put up with you, I surmise.

        1. Edward2
          May 9, 2020

          They formed a majority.
          But I realise this offends you.

          1. Martin in Cardiff
            May 10, 2020

            No, analysis shows that those who actually served in the war generally voted Remain.

          2. Edward2
            May 10, 2020

            Well stop abusing all old people as being leave voters then.
            As you and Andy continue to do.

            Interested in this “analysis”
            Was it in the Guardian or in the Independent?

  17. ed2
    May 8, 2020

    There will be a spike when they lift the lock down caused BY the lockdown (loss of immunity), it will be a spike in all sorts of illness (they will label covid 19) and thus justify us going back into lockdown (they have found the perfect trick).

    I have studied the alleged pandemic and concluded almost all the deaths are caused by a combination of the lockdown, the ONS pushng the figures forward and people dying with this alleged virus, not from it.

    As soon as the lockdown ends we will be able to see it was the lockdown causing the deaths. So will they ever end it?

    This is a nightmare. It is going to end in world wide revolution. No one wanted that?

  18. Lifelogic
    May 8, 2020

    Indeed but we clearly have to restore many of them first.

    Free of speech (including of course the right to offend), freedom of choice in healthcare and education, freedom to travel, freedom to legally evict tenants who do not abide by their contracts or pay their rents, a full escape from the anti-democratic EU, freedom to watch TV without paying a BBC tax. Perhaps even the freedom to hire and fire freely as we think is best for the business. The freedom to use sensible cars, hearing and energy systems perhaps too.

    1. Lifelogic
      May 8, 2020

      Freedom not free and heating systems not hearing systems. Though doubtless they over regulate hearing aids too.

  19. Destiny
    May 8, 2020

    Boris and Raab, even their names are not British

    1. Ian Wragg
      May 8, 2020

      Your point is?????

    2. Lynn Atkinson
      May 8, 2020

      Why stop there … we are governed by foreigners.

    3. Martin in Cardiff
      May 8, 2020

      “Farage” is not British.

      1. Lynn Atkinson
        May 8, 2020

        And he is married to a German, but still wants to leave the EU. So what’s your point?

      2. Lifelogic
        May 9, 2020

        Boris and Raab are the only hope there is.

        Let us hope Boris is not just Blair sorting a blond wig.

    4. Mark B
      May 9, 2020

      Boris’s name is not, Boris. It is Alexander.

    5. bill brown
      May 9, 2020

      Destiny

      And?

  20. Edwin
    May 8, 2020

    My ancestors were encouraged to fight and die for their country and now if we call it our country we are called extreme far right – what has happened to my country England in my lifetime has been extreme – English people are set to be a minority in 40 years -This is the worst betrayal by our governments who are dancing to the ugly tune of the gloabalists

    1. Ed M
      May 8, 2020

      We need to turn to basic, traditional Christian values:

      1. PATRIOTISM – love of country / the Fatherland. Patriotism is traditional Christian. That a country is blessed by God. The sort of patriotism Queen Elizabeth believed in and so many from WW2. Nationalism is secular.

      2. WORK ETHIC. Great traditional Christian virtue. That people work hard and responsibly. Don’t take short-cuts. Look at the great success of The Quakers in Business.

      3. PUBLIC DUTY. Related to patriotism and work ethic.

      4. CHEERFULNESS. This one of most important traditional Christian virtues. How sour-faced people can be now.

      5. STRONG FAMILY. Central traditional Christian virtue. Without it, society collapses. In old days, people relied on families in hard times, not the state (the ‘State’ is a modern, secular invention).

      6. ARTS. Strong arts and architecture are key to traditional Christianity. Connected to work ethic (and patriotism). And that we should be creative here on Earth. So many great artists / architects were traditional Christians. Bach. Mozart. Leonardo. Fra Angelico. Sir Christopher Wren. List is endless.

      7. SCIENCE. Strong science is key to traditional Christianity. Science is about exploring this world created by the divine and working out how to use it to man’s best advantage as steward of this world. So many scientists were devout Christians – Sir Isaac Newton (biblical scholar), Max Planck (founder of quantum mechanics), Mendel (Roman Catholic priest main founder of modern genetics). And so on.

      8. EDUCATION. Strong education is key to traditional Christianity (and related to science and arts). Oxford and Cambridge both founded by traditional Christianity.

      9. PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS (MONARCH, PARLIAMENT, JUDICIARY etc). Key to traditional Christianity. Traditional Christianity isn’t just about Heaven but Earth too. One day Earth will be glorified. And we are meant to be stewards of this earth. Religion isn’t just something individual but part of a group too.

      10. ESSENTIAL VIRTUES. And just basic things like trying to focus on MODESTY of character (i.e. not being a show off), LOVE (soft + tough, like defending oneself to the death for one’s family or country), PEACE, WISDOM, COURAGE, and so on.

      I know that many more people from WW2 would appreciate what I am saying here than people today. We must all try and make our country beautiful / amazing, something like a Faberge Egg! Like we should be trying to do with ourselves as well as bringing the best out in others as well.

      For God, Queen, Country and Family.

      1. Lynn Atkinson
        May 8, 2020

        +1

      2. glen cullen
        May 8, 2020

        And the first duty of our government is the defence of the realm, its people, and its traditions

        Well government(s) have failed

      3. margaret howard
        May 8, 2020

        Christianity is just a thin veneer forced onto Europeans centuries ago mainly against their will and often with much bloodshed.

        European culture was forged by Greece and Rome. Had it not been for the collapse of the Roman empire Christianity would have sunk into oblivion like so many other religious cults in the past.

        1. Ed M
          May 9, 2020

          Also, Margaret, ‘cheerfulness’ is NOT really a virtue of ancient Greece and Rome but it certainly is of traditional Christianity and of British life!

          How absolutely important cheerfulness is. How it can make the difference between a happy and miserable life.

          1. hefner
            May 11, 2020

            Indeed … the goddess Euphrosyne (one of the Kharites) is British and ‘carpe diem’ is a very Christian saying, aren’t they.

          2. Ed M
            May 13, 2020

            ‘carpe diem’

            – I acknowledged Christian indebtedness to Graeco/Roman culture, already!

            The next question is where do these great virtues of the Greeks and Roman comes from? From the animal world? I don’t think so. The animal world is a jungle – cut-throat and ruthless. But the human world isn’t or shouldn’t. We’re able to achieve extraordinary levels of humanity and culture and good will and so on.

          3. hefner
            May 15, 2020

            There are studies showing that both in zoos and in the wild animals like chimpanzees ‘care for each other’. Desmond Morris’ ‘The Naked Ape’ already pointed that out in 1967.
            I don’t care whether as a person you need religion for your own satisfaction and/or to ‘understand the world’.
            Simply don’t try to proselytise.

          4. hefner
            May 15, 2020

            Furthermore, you would sound less ridiculous if you were to recognise that other religions also encourage similar patterns to help ‘people living together’.
            Don’t you think that putting, as you do, all these as Christian qualities displays a somewhat narrow sense of perspective?

      4. Lifelogic
        May 9, 2020

        I am not religious myself but I still agree with much of the above.

        ‘So many scientists were devout Christians – Sir Isaac Newton (biblical scholar), Max Planck (founder of quantum mechanics), Mendel (Roman Catholic priest main founder of modern genetics).’

        True, though I am not quite sure how they managed to square (or compartmentalise) the two areas of evidence and belief myself. Perhaps they simply had too comply due to the politics of the time. Rather like the new climate alarmism group think religion now.

        1. Ed M
          May 9, 2020

          @Lifelogic,

          Sir Isaac Newton was a Biblical scholar. He didn’t have to go this far to prove anything. Mendel was a Catholic priest when priests often had a hard time trying to focus on the things like the study of science when their bishops wanted them to focus on being priests. Max Planck was a Christian at a time when ‘God is dead’ (Nietzsche).

          Traditional Christians love science because they see it as divine in origin, and because the Earth is something sacred (will be glorified at end of time). And that there is a puzzle in it in a way that’s been put there by God for our enjoyment in resolving (joy is key in traditional Christianity). Also, science has been given to us as a gift in order for us to make use of and enjoy this Earth (in the right way), coming up with scientific inventions so that we can live easier and better and so on. Science also tells us about the rational side of God’s mind / the order of The Divine World.

          Lastly, God is not confined by the Laws of Physics either (God created them!). He can bypass them if God wants to (that is not the same as breaking them). For example, I used to have really serious, debilitating arthritis in my lower back. So bad, my back would cave in after 15 minutes standing and I’d have to sit down. That’s how bad. Then one day, I visited a church off High St Ken, London, and I was cured of this debilitating arthritis there and then. It was a miracle. God bypassing, not breaking, the Laws of Physics to cure me.

        2. Ed M
          May 9, 2020

          Lifelogic,

          Lastly, I’m more into arts than sciences (but love the sciences too just better at arts) but consider the cross-over between Science (/ Mathematics) and Arts – such as in Music – in particular of that of Bach – deeply Christian man.

          Also, what are the Arts? Why do we find the music, say of Mozart (another Christian man) beautiful? What is beauty? Why do people find beauty in the natural world when there is no need for this beauty – for example, everyone finds the stars and gold beautiful but there is no need for these things to be beautiful.

          Also how does man get to have free will? And experience what he considers to be spiritual? Also where does all this ‘stuff’ come from in existence? (Sure where does God come from? But that still doesn’t get rid of contradiction of why we have physical stuff in our universe at all. There had to be a beginning. How did stuff come into being at the beginning?’)

          Lastly, I’d argue traditional Christianity provides the perfect package for individual people not just to be develop into and become beautiful spiritual and physical works of art – like a Faberge Egg – but also a country as a whole!

          1. M Brandreth- Jones
            May 9, 2020

            When I did ( executed) my third dissertation My quote at the introduction page was.

            ” The Art of understanding and using science effectively and ethically”
            These people who put labels on things when all in life overlaps.
            BTW Music is a scientific art.

          2. Lifelogic
            May 10, 2020

            I do very much enjoy Bach, Monteverdi, Byrd, Mozart and loads of sacred music and I love English churches. Alas they are locked up currently (also full of bat droppings usually).

    2. Fred H
      May 8, 2020

      some of us at least 10 generations unbroken English already feel we are in a minority.

      1. glen cullen
        May 8, 2020

        Sad but very true

        Social engineering

      2. Martin in Cardiff
        May 9, 2020

        Yes, there are quite a few little valleys like that in the Pennines and in Wales too, Fred.

        Travel even to the nearest one was hard during much of the year, and for centuries.

        Things are generally healthier now.

      3. sok
        May 9, 2020

        Does not matter. Why should that change how you act? If anything, should be a reason to stand up for what you believe in even more and lead by example. That is how I feel )

    3. Everhopeful
      May 8, 2020

      100%

    4. The Prangwizard
      May 8, 2020

      I’ll second that, and be pleased to be associated with the sentiments and argument. It’s time we were allowed to take our nation, England, back.

    5. Original Chris
      May 8, 2020

      President Trump is putting up a huge fight against these corrupt globalists who are intent on imposing one world government.

      1. Martin in Cardiff
        May 9, 2020

        You mean “intent on preventing a global US empire.”

        Yes, he is, but fortunately he will lose.

  21. Doorstep campaigner
    May 8, 2020

    Boris on a Brexit wave, now gone, got a majority of about 7000. Raab 2,743
    All hands on deck to defeat them at the next General Election campaigning for the Party most likely to overthrow their tyrannical rule. Will not be too difficult.

    1. Everhopeful
      May 8, 2020

      But the tories, who were handed a vast majority ( and yes..we breathed a sigh of relief) are ultra effective at destroying opposition parties. Unless of course our “democracy” is as fake as it seems.
      Yes I know…the best of a bad lot.

  22. Fedupsoutherner
    May 8, 2020

    We are having a street sing along. Keeping the social distancing rules of course. Most houses in our street have bunting and flags up including us. What our forefathers went through to give us our freedom is extremely humbling and we must never forget the sacrifices made for us to live our lives the way we can now.

  23. ian
    May 8, 2020

    Stocks soar in the USA on the back the unemployment rate of 15%, never had it so good.

  24. BeebTax
    May 8, 2020

    Keep at it, Sir John.

  25. Everhopeful
    May 8, 2020

    Does that include the freedoms of speech, movement ( for us in our country) and association?

  26. Barry
    May 8, 2020

    Will somebody please point out to the BBC and others that this is VE Day, not NHS Day.

    Give us a break, for one day at least.

    1. Lifelogic
      May 9, 2020

      Indeed.

    2. glen cullen
      May 9, 2020

      And the endless clapping

      To my knowledge not one person in the NHS was sacked, furlough or made redundant. No one in the NHS was asked to take a pay cut, restricted from promotion or restricted from taking to the media.
      NHS staff did receive free car-parking, free public transport, free food and free mobile phone data
      They’ve been calls for NHS to get a pay rise for their covid-19 work (empty wards and beds) and a constant reminder that they’re all heroes by the media

      Its like a new religion however I don’t see anyone in the NHS doing anything above and beyond what they’re paid to do
.and the senior doctors and nurses are very well paid

    3. The Prangwizard
      May 9, 2020

      I saw one of the BBC’s reporters talki g to someone in the street, and making reference to our ‘adored’ NHS. There is something seriously wrong with the BBC and its leadership.

  27. Iago
    May 8, 2020

    Is the open border in the Channel (and I expect at the airports) obligatory under the Withdrawal Treaty and enforced by the Joint Committee? Do government ministers consider it prescribed by the Global Compact on Migration? Why are they in favour of this never ending invasion?

    1. glen cullen
      May 8, 2020

      Because they don’t live in the real world, they’re living in some academic text book

  28. czerwonadupa
    May 8, 2020

    Many in London would prefer to be celebrating the Decline and Fall of Europe rather than remember the sacrifices of those 75 years ago who thought they were fighting to stop Germany from over running Europe. I hate to think what my father & his colleges would think having given up their tomorrows for todays lot.

  29. The Prangwizard
    May 8, 2020

    BBC distorting history. Report from France makes no mention that at least half the country formally at government level collaborated with Germany and some fought for them.

  30. Mick
    May 8, 2020

    I to will be celebrating V.E. day but why are we not celebrating VJ Day on August 15th which was also a great victory but also the end of WW2, is there enough time for a celebration day to be organised

  31. Yippee
    May 8, 2020

    Meanwhile the British wise and highly educated ( probably Cambridge) Cabinet is thinking very carefully about allowing, yes they have the cheek to say “allowing” , yes “allowing” British people to hit a ball with a stick, two persons present only ,staying 2 meters apart in a quarter of an acre of grass. …in June subject to stupidity carrying on.

  32. John
    May 8, 2020

    As an Englishman I would say it was a Pyrrhic victory the way, all these years later, it turned out for us.

    1. Lynn Atkinson
      May 8, 2020

      Yep.

  33. Yippee
    May 8, 2020

    Hurry up! Children will see children online enjoying themselves. Will the Government close down the UK internet to stop us seeing what is happening in Europe and America and China and all round the world? I bet it has been discussed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Better for Government to stop shaming the UK”Best Health Service in the World” with continuing a lockdown policy which clearly has not worked. Are they waiting until it does “work” to prove their mental breakdown valid?
    “tickets sellout for opening day, signaling pent up demand for theme parks
    PUBLISHED FRI, MAY 8 20209:32 AM EDTUPDATED 3 HOURS AGO
    Sarah Whitten
    @SARAHWHIT10
    KEY POINTS
    Tickets for Monday’s reopening of Shanghai Disney sold out within minutes.
    Shanghai Disneyland, closed since Jan. 25, will be the first major theme park to reopen.
    The park usually sees around 80,000 visitors per day, but the government has mandated Disney operate at 30% capacity, or about 24,000 visitors. “

  34. bill brown
    May 9, 2020

    Sir JR

    Thank you a great and deserved tribute

  35. Edwardm
    May 9, 2020

    Indeed.
    We owe our previous generations much for the sacrifices they made for a better world.

  36. Lindsay McDougall
    May 9, 2020

    Quite so. May I draw your attention to one instance in which we have yet to gain our full freedoms. It is freedom from the EU. We are still in the transition period.

    My late mother’s estate is going through the probate process. She made the mistake of appointing a local firm of Solicitors as executor, which they took full advantage of. Their fee rate is ÂŁ230 per hour plus ÂŁ23 per telephone call in or out, plus ÂŁ23 per letter written, plus a percentage of the house sale, plus a percentage of the shares sold. Nice work if you can get it.

    The final straw came when the Solicitors wrote to me and my siblings asking us to authorise further work in order to comply with new regulations relating to money laundering. On investigation, it appears that these new regulations have come from the FCA as a result of a Directive from the European Commission. The timing of this Directive? It was issued on 10th January THIS YEAR, after our decision to leave the EU and after the Conservative Party won a landslide victory on a platform of getting Brexit done.

    Please Sir John, use parliament to complain loud and long about the EC’s conduct in issuing this Directive (the FIFTH money laundering Directive) and about our Government and the FCA’s grovelling acquiescence.

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