Commemorating 80 Years Since VE Day: A Reminder That We Must Never Surrender to Division.

By Zafran Pervez

VE Day Celebrations courtesy of the Imperial War Museums

This week marks 80 years since VE Day, the historic moment when Nazi Germany unconditionally surrendered to the Allied forces and Victory in Europe was declared. On the 8th of May 1945, jubilant celebrations erupted across the world, as people rejoiced in the defeat of fascism and the long-awaited end of the Second World War in Europe. It was a day of triumph, not just for those who fought, but for the very principles of freedom, democracy and unity that were preserved through great sacrifice.

Yet, eight decades later, the spectre of division looms once more. Across communities, we are witnessing the unsettling rise of far-right extremist views, the spread of misinformation, and the calculated manipulation of public discourse to breed fear and resentment. Propaganda, amplified by media outlets like GB News and Fox News, fuels an “Us vs Them” narrative, deepening societal divides. Most troubling, the resurgence of nationalist movements and reactionary ideologies threatens the hard-won freedoms that our forebearers fought so valiantly to protect.

The recent return of Donald Trump to the White House and the alarming surge of Reform UK in Britain’s political landscape underscore the fragility of these freedoms. Reform’s leader, Nigel Farage, has spent decades cultivating division under the guise of championing the working class. Yet his actions reveal a different agenda – one that serves the privileged elite whilst scapegoating vulnerable communities and stoking the fires of culture wars. His rhetoric – calling for the dismantling of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives and suggesting Britain’s withdrawal from the Human Rights Convention – demonstrates a clear intent to erode fundamental rights.

Farage’s manufactured narrative of fear and distrust has become his primary tool in securing power. He blames immigration for Britain’s challenges, using it as a political scapegoat to consolidate support. However, history warns us of the dangers of such deceitful tactics. He is no champion of the working class; his allegiance lies with wealth and influence, all while sowing the seeds of discourse amongst the people he claims to represent. Even as an MP, his presence in his constituency of Clacton has been scarce – his time instead devoted to bolstering alliances with Trump and his circle of ultra-right billionaires.

As we reflect on VE Day, we must ask ourselves: Would the heroes who fought for Britain’s freedoms recognise the country Farage envisions? Would they accept the return of authoritarianism and division after their sacrifices to ensure a more just society? The answer is a clear no.

Britain stands as one of the most diverse and culturally rich nations on earth – a testament to the values that make it great. We cannot allow fear-mongering to consume us, nor can we be deceived into believing that figures like Farage offer salvation from problems of their own making. His attacks on education – branding efforts to expand historical perspectives as “woke” – reveal an attempt to distort and erase the progress made in fostering understanding and equality.

But Britain will not be silenced. We will not forget. We will ensure that truth prevails, no matter how fiercely the forces of revisionism attempt to reshape our past. It is time for us to stand united – as guardians of democracy, diversity, and our shared future. We must be vigilant against those who seek to silence us, and we must reject those corrosive ideologies that threaten to unravel the social fabric of modern Britain.

We thought we had defeated fascism on VE Day, but now we must work to prevent its return. Britain will not bow to its resurgence. As long as we remain steadfast in our commitment to unity, justice, and truth, the ideals that secured our victory in 1945 will continue to guide us forward.