Dai Havard

Labour Party | Merthyr Tydfil & Rhymney

They led the way!

It was inspiring to see and join veterans of ‘D-Day’ and the Normandy campaign remembering and celebrating the sacrifice and service of their fallen and respected comrades. They put into proper context the politics of those battles and the difference between the German people and the tyranny that led them. For once, even the media seemed to acknowledge their fight was against fascism and defeat of the Nazi regime.

That is what people like Bill King and others from our valleys with their internationalism were fighting for. I discussed this recently with members of the German Parliament and saw their ability to now be able to express, that Germany and the German people were equally liberated. It was the tyranny and fascism that suffered the defeat.

That greater victory led to many things including the establishment of the United Nations and later the European Union. However imperfect and fragile these institutions, they help us try and avoid senseless destruction and manage conflict as best we can. We owe a great debt to a generation that know this was their lasting contribution.

Similarly it was important to remember in a proper context the contribution of the people of the USA. The connections between our valleys and the USA must be stronger than the Bush regime can damage. From ‘Pencerdd America’ - Joseph Parry - to the South Wales miners support for Paul Robeson during his ‘internal exile’, there are many examples of positive relationships between us. The irony of Bush representing a great country and its past positive contribution to the world - belying many of the actions of him and his supporters - was palpable but instructive.

If nothing else I hope that the coincidence of all these events will reinforce our internationalism and help us in our stumbling efforts to build up those ideals our forebears fought for. Think on Mr Bush, your administration is not America!