Covid-19 - Remembrance, reflection and recognition

The Covid-19 pandemic has challenged our community like nothing we have ever seen before. Only those who were alive at the time of the last world war can possibly remember an international emergency on this scale that so devastated our way of life and curtailed our normal liberties. But here in Basildon Borough, our residents have shown the 'Dunkirk spirit' that has made this country great. No part of our community has been untouched by this crisis but everywhere we have seen people coming together to show their grit and resilience and their willingness to help others; from our amazing, selfless key-workers to the neighbours simply looking out for the vulnerable in their street. A certain woman who used to be in power is often misquoted as saying "There is no such thing as society". What she of course went on to say was, "There are individual men and women and there are families and no government can do anything except through people and people look to themselves first. It is our duty to look after ourselves and then also to help look after our neighbour and life is a reciprocal business." The residents of Basildon have displayed that reciprocity in spades. My thanks to all our NHS and key workers, and to our excellent Council officers, who have been tireless in their efforts on behalf of my constituents in Billericay East and all the residents of this borough. My thoughts are with all those who have fallen ill with this horrible virus and who have tragically lost their lives. I pray for those who are left behind with such terrible loss and without the chance to say goodbye. I wish them consolation in their grief and the strength to move forward. And I extend my heartfelt thanks to all in our communities who have been doing the right thing, staying safe and protecting one another. I look forward to better times ahead, in the sure and certain knowledge that Britain shall, as she always does, emerge from this catastrophe stronger and more united for having strove together through adversity. I wish you and yours well.