Emergency Services Cenotaph

Caroline Pidgeon MBE AM moved, and Dr Onkar Sahota AM seconded the following motion:

“This Assembly notes the campaign for an Emergency Services Cenotaph in London to honour all who have served in the emergency services and National Health Service past, present and future. It will be the first combined memorial of its kind in the UK.

This Assembly further notes the two million people that currently work in our emergency services and National Health Service who show huge dedication and believe it is right that we recognise the vital role that they play and pay tribute to the commitment and sacrifice many make in the line of duty.

This Assembly also believes that in light of the Covid-19 pandemic the need to honour the dedication, bravery and sacrifice of our emergency service and National Health Service workers and volunteers is more important than ever. An Emergency Services Cenotaph will also ensure there is a place for Londoners and those across the country to come and pay their respects to all of those who have served in our emergency services past and present and to honour those we have lost.

This Assembly fully supports the Emergency Services Cenotaph and calls on the Chair of the Assembly, with the Mayor, to write to the Prime Minister expressing this support and asking for Government to provide financial support, alongside the existing voluntary fundraising effort, to the campaign to help ensure such a cenotaph can begin construction as soon as possible.”

Following debate and upon being put to a vote, the motion was agreed unanimously.