Barrow and Furness’ local MP Simon Fell has urged the Prime Minister to create lasting memorials to honour the NHS and other key workers in towns and cities across the country.
Mr Fell was due to ask the First Secretary of State, Dominic Raab, about his idea at Prime Minister’s Questions but unfortunately the session ran out of time before the Speaker was able to call on Mr Fell.
Commenting from his office in Cavendish Street, Barrow, Mr Fell said: “Obviously it’s disappointing not to have been called. I have, however, written to the Prime Minister with my idea instead.
“I have called on the Prime Minister to seize the opportunity, once we have moved past Coronavirus, to celebrate and forever thank our frontline key workers for the fantastic and selfless work that they done during this pandemic. Public works of art across the country, similar to the Spirit of Barrow statue on Dalton Road, would be a permanent reminder of the sacrifices that they are making for all of us.”
“It strikes me that, a day after International Workers Memorial Day, the United Kingdom should be looking to commemorate those key workers who are wrapping their arms around us at the moment, from the NHS to supermarket staff, from posties to care workers.
“Once this pandemic has passed, it would only be fitting for our public spaces – from the fourth plinth in London to Market Place in Ulverston – to overflow with our thanks to those key workers who are risking so much to keep us safe right now.
“This would be a fantastic opportunity to celebrate and commemorate those key workers to who we owe so much.”