This month, the Coronavirus Memorial Quilt finally went on display at the Houses of Parliament.
I was joined by the Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsey Hoyle, to unveil the quilt before other Members of Parliament and the many people who had contributed to the project.
It has been a long time in the making but it was so worthwhile to see this touching memorial on display in Parliament, in memory of all our loved ones who did not make it through the pandemic.
As the anniversary of the lockdown neared, I wanted to do something special to mark one of the most challenging periods in a lifetime. I’m so pleased with the results, which have formed a rich tapestry of experiences felt by MPs and their constituents.
The quilt tells a story, of a moment where the world was put on lockdown, showed in some way we are all interlinked and that MPs have often suffered in silence. No matter who we are, we are connected through our shared experiences, even ones as tragic as the COVID-19 pandemic.
I will be working with Parliament to bring a permanent and lasting display.