James Asser was successful in his application for a backbench business debate in the House of Commons with the motion ” That this House has considered the fifth anniversary of the covid-19 pandemic.”
The debate was held on Thursday 12th June. James led with a passionate and emotional speech about the impact of Covid-19 on West Ham and Beckton and the strength and bravery of the key and frontline workers who supported their community throughout. He paid tribute to the contributions and sacrifices of volunteers including those who volunteered with #HelpNewham.
“Across Newham, over 650 residents volunteered their time with the council’s #HelpNewham initiative. The country kept going through the incredible hard work and bravery of our frontline workforce, because of schools, community groups, places of worship, volunteers and people just being good neighbours.
It was important to me that I put on record my thanks to my constituents for all they have done.“
The debate was an opportunity to reflect and remember our losses and acknowledge our grief. Inspiration for the debate came from James Asser’s role at Newham Council during the pandemic and the responsibility of creating a memorial space to those that were lost: The Covid Memorial Garden in Plaistow Park.
“Plaistow Park is home to our Covid Memorial Garden dedicated to our local people. A memorial for all—young or old, single or with a family, religious or not.
At its opening in 2023, over 100 local people attended, including one resident who had lost his father. Still grieving the loss, his appreciation for a place where he could visit, and that meant that his father and those who died had not been forgotten, has stayed with me.
All politicians hope that they will have a legacy but if I had to leave just one thing behind me, I think it would be that garden.
That is why I believed it important that the fifth anniversary did not pass without being marked. “
Contributing MPs used their time to pay their respects to constituents and family. And pay tribute to the NHS, key and frontline workers, schools, faith and community groups, volunteers and everyone who showed kindness and compassion to their neighbours.
They also drew attention to the impact of lost education on children and young people. At that although 5 years have passed many continue to suffer with long covid and associated conditions and immunocompromised and vulnerable people have not had the same opportunities to ‘return to normal’.
The Government response included further commitment to commemoration and remembrance including a confirmation the Covid-19 Day of Reflection 2026 will take place on Sunday 8 March. Promises to ensure better preparedness for possible future pandemics including better protection for our health workers so that lessons are learnt from 2020. This included a commitment to conduct a national exercise to test our ability to respond to future pandemics later this year. In response to questions regarding long covid the Minister highlighted government investment in supporting people with long covid. The Minister also said they would meet with the APPG on Vulnerable Groups to Pandemics and immunocompromised patients.
James Asser concluded the debate with the hope that it has provided some comfort that we have not forgotten five years on. Thanks to memorials like the one in Plaistow Park those who are no longer with us will be remembered – not as the statistics they are recorded by, but by the lives they lived – for generations to come.
“Newham lost more than 1,000 people to covid. It was one of the worst-hit places in the country. It is important that we understand the sheer scale of the impact that the pandemic had, it cut across communities, ages and faiths. There were funerals unattended and people who died alone. Even if we do not acknowledge that grief on a day-to-day basis, the loss and sacrifices made must not been forgotten.
