Starmer’s vow on education

ADDRESSING THE Wiener Holocaust Library’s HMD event, Sir Keir Starmer revealed that he received regular correspondence from Jews whose traumatic histories had inspired them to demand justice for others.

The Labour leader said he had received “many emails from Jewish constituents telling me about their families’ experience during the Holocaust and how this has shaped their lives on certain issues.

“Many of those accounts go on to express shock and disgust at the persecution of the Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang.

“Others call for a more compassionate welcome for child refugees and draw on the experiences of those who escaped the Nazis on the Kindertransport.”

Sir Keir pledged to “always keep fighting on those issues — not only because it’s the right thing to do but because it’s what the lessons of history implore us to do.

“History is important, facts are important. During these unsettling times, it can feel sometimes like they’re under attack.”

Sir Keir took part as the local MP for the library, which is located in his Holborn and St Pancras constituency, but stressed his wider responsibility on Holocaust education.

Jews and other victims of Nazi persecution “should not be left to do this alone. They need vocal allies.”

His speech followed survivor testimony from the museum’s archive read by actress Olivia Williams and reflections from Lord Pickles, special envoy for postHolocaust issues.

Other contributors were New London Synagogue’s Rabbi Jeremy Gordon and chazan Jaclyn Chernett.

Jews and other victims of persecution by the Nazis need vocal allies’