Clearly the big news of the past week was the announcement
of new national measures to fight the spread of the Coronavirus.
I know this will come as a big disappointment to many of us
in Cornwall where, although rising, the number of cases remain the lowest in
the country. It is clear the government has done everything it could do avoid
having to new national restrictions. However, the reality of the figures showed
that although we are starting from a low level, the number of cases in Cornwall
was increasing at a faster rate than the rest of the country. Regrettably, we
needed to act now to avoid the risk of Cornwall being in the same position as
parts of the North West which were seeing hospital admissions at similar levels
to that of the Spring. Particularly with our population in Cornwall being more
elderly and therefore in greater danger, this was not something we could risk.
I appreciate this
will be another difficult time for us all, economically, mentally, and
socially. I will be doing everything I can to ensure we get the support we need
and will also be seeking assurances from the government that we will be
released from these new restrictions at the earliest opportunity when it is
safe to do so.
As we enter another time of having to limit our lives for
the national good, the fact that it is Remembrance Sunday this weekend is a
timely reminder of the struggles of past generations. As tough and challenging
as this year has been for us, it is still nowhere near as challenging as the
struggles of those that lived through the war years.
Over the past months I have often thought to myself that comparing
our struggles this year to those that lived through the war years does help us
keep things in perspective. Throughout our history our nation has faced
difficult times for a variety of reasons. We have always risen to the
challenge, pulled together and got through it. I am sure this time will be no
different.
This Sunday does provide us all with the opportunity to
remember all those of previous generations who paid a price for us to be free
today. Although we are all experiencing restrictions on our freedoms for a
short while, it can help to remind us what it is those generations were
fighting for.
Clearly events this Sunday will be very different to usual.
We will not be able to have the big parades and church services of remembrance.
I will be laying a wreath in both Newquay and St Austell in what will be a
quiet and low-key act of remembrance along with the Mayor and representatives
of the Royal British Legion. Although it will be disappointing not to be able
to have the all the crowds, and we will particularly miss the armed forces
veterans and the cadets, in some ways a low key event will seem more fitting to
the current situation.
I do hope that all of us though will take a moment on Sunday, and indeed next Wednesday on Armistice Day, the 11th November, to quietly remember, pay our respects and show our gratitude to the fallen.
With each passing year those who are still with us that lived through
the last World War become fewer and it is so important that as the living
memory of those times passes we continue to ensure that each new generation is
aware of the price that was paid and values the freedom we have.
It is also vital we continue to support the Royal British
Legion and the vital work they do in supporting our veterans. Many of their
usual means of fundraising have been restricted this year so I do hope we will
all do what we can to buy and wear a poppy and donate to their work.
Finally, perhaps more than any other year this year we have
reason to be grateful to those who currently serve in our armed forces. Often,
their work is hidden from us in far away places as they serve our country in a
multitude of ways to keep us safe – sometimes in ways we never get to hear of.
But this year we have seen some of the vital work they do in the service of our
country as they have played a central role in the fight again Coronavirus.
Whether it has been building the Nightingale Hospitals, manning testing centres
or helping with distributing PPE, they have provided vital support to the NHS
during this year. So as well as remembering and respecting those who have
fallen and served at times of war in the past, let us also show our gratitude
to those who serve us today.
