Give towns statues to honour heroes
HEROES who won the Victoria or George Cross should be honoured with a statue in their birthplace, says former security minister Sir John Hayes.
He wants a drive to commemorate those who performed the greatest acts of courage, which would help bring a feeling of national unity.
Rather “than tearing down statues we ought to be erecting them”, Sir John said, adding: “This would be a fitting way of drawing people together after a year of great difficulty.”
The South Holland and The Deepings MP hopes to gather support for the project and aims to lobby Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden.
The Victoria Cross has been awarded 1,358 times, and the George Cross – which recognises exceptional gallantry not “in the presence of the enemy” and can be awarded to civilians – more than 400 times.
In locations where it is not practical to erect a statue, Sir John said heroes could have a plaque put up or a building or a road named in their
honour. His proposal has won support from Colonel Richard Kemp, who led British forces in Afghanistan.
He said: “It’s a very good idea. Bringing it home locally would have a huge impact.” A Help For Heroes spokeswoman said: “We’re very supportive of initiatives for communities
to commemorate heroic acts.” The push comes as MPS demand tougher sentences for vandals who desecrate war memorials. Stoke-on-trent North MP Jonathan Gullis has secured a special debate on the subject in the Commons on Wednesday.
He said: “Every war memorial is sacred and reminds us of the immeasurable gratitude that we must afford to our Armed Forces.
“We can at least ensure that memorials are adequately protected and punish those who damage and disrespect them.”
His bid to tighten the law is backed by Bracknell MP James Sunderland, who served in the Army. He said: “We must ensure that all war memorials
are protected.”