VE Day: Boris Johnson says spirit of ‘greatest generation of Britons who ever lived’ must be deployed against coronavirus

The prime minister has said the spirit of the “greatest generation of Britons who ever lived” must be deployed against coronavirus as the country marks the 75th anniversary of VE Day.

As people across the UK prepare to remember the end of the Second World War in Europe at home this year, Boris Johnson has written to veterans thanking them for their “valour, fortitude and quiet yet invincible courage” during that conflict.

He said Britain must display the “same spirit of national endeavour” exemplified by those who fought against Hitler’s Nazi regime 75 years ago while it is “engaged in a new struggle against the coronavirus”.

In a message paying tribute to both those who fought on the front lines, as well as those who toiled on the home front, the prime minister wrote: “The truth is that no other generation of Britons can rival your achievement.”

“Those of us born after 1945 are acutely conscious of the debt we owe,” he added. “Without your trial and sacrifice, many of us would not be here at all; if we were, we would surely not be free.

“To us, you are quite simply the greatest generation of Britons who ever lived.”

Labour leader Keir Starmer has also paid tribute to “the millions of people from across the UK and from across the world” who helped secure victory in the Second World War.

In a video message on Friday morning, he praised the “shared values” of those who stood together and highlighted the legacy of “those that rebuilt and renewed our country after the war”.

As commemoration events are put on hold this year because of the coronavirus pandemic, Sir Keir said: “In normal times we would be paying tribute to their achievements in street parties, in gatherings and events at the Cenotaph. This year we can’t do that.

“We commemorate those who stood together for a better future. We remember their service, and also their sacrifice.”

Ed Davey, acting leader of the Liberal Democrats, has said we “must never grow complacent or be fooled into thinking that war is impossible”.

He added: “This anniversary we must honour the sacrifices made and recommit to ensuring that international cooperation and hard-won peace across Europe is protected so that we may never suffer the death and destruction of World War Two again.”

In a video address filmed in lockdown, the Archbishop of Canterbury called on people to honour the sacrifice of the wartime generation by remembering the importance of reconciliation and holding on to hope.

Justin Welby reflected on “the years of courage and sacrifice” between a National Prayer Day in May 1940, when the outlook was bleak, and the end of the war in Europe on 8 May 1945.

He described reconciliation and hope as the “two great tributes we can pay to the 1945 generation”, and spoke of the country being united against the threat of coronavirus.

Dame Vera Lynn said the nation must “remember the brave boys and what they sacrificed for us”.

The Forces’ Sweetheart, who paid morale-boosting visits to the front line during the war, said she hoped this year’s commemorations “remind us all that hope remains even in the most difficult times”.

She added: “Most of all, I hope today serves as a reminder that however hard things get, we will meet again.”

Last month, the Queen used one of Dame Vera’s most famous wartime lyrics when she told the country in a televised address: “We will meet again.”

The UK is set to fall silent for two minutes at 11am as it honours the sacrifice of the Second World War generation.

There will be none of the traditional large-scale street parties and parades because of the coronavirus pandemic, but a host of novel events are going ahead across TV, radio and online.

Royal Air Force flypasts over London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast, a rebroadcast of Sir Winston Churchill’s victory speech, and a message from the Queen are also among the national activities taking place.

Additional reporting by Press Association