My commitment as new chair of HMDT

As I step into the role of chair of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust (HMDT), I do so with deep humility and a profound sense of responsibility. I’m acutely aware that the weight of memory rests heavily on all of us. We’re not just an organisation; we’re custodians of a legacy that must never be forgotten.

Our mission is clear: to honour the memory of the six million Jews murdered by the Nazis in the Holocaust and the countless others who suffered and were murdered. We also remember the millions lost in more recent genocides recognised by the UK government. In a world where antisemitism and other forms of hatred are, sadly, once again on the rise, the work of HMDT feels more vital than ever before. Alongside our trustees, staff, supporters and communities across the country, we’ll continue to impart the Holocaust’s enduring lessons, championing dignity and respect, while standing firmly against bigotry and intolerance.

I especially want to extend my sincere and heartfelt thanks to Laura Marks CBE for her truly remarkable leadership over the past nine years. Her efforts have so firmly established Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) in our national consciousness. It stands as an annual reminder of humanity’s capacity for unspeakable evil and reinforces our shared responsibility to confront antisemitism and all forms of racism. It’s my privilege to carry forward this vital work alongside dedicated colleagues, inspiring survivors and committed educators across the UK.

We must recognise that tackling antisemitism and racism is not merely the burden of those directly affected; it is, in fact, a collective responsibility for all of us. Silence in the face of injustice undermines the foundation of our shared rights and values. As Martin Luther King Jr powerfully stated many years ago: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” As human beings, our empathy must embrace all who face discrimination, regardless of our religious convictions or cultural backgrounds.

My own commitment to these values is something deeply personal and longstanding. During my time in government, including roles as home secretary, communities secretary and culture secretary, I worked to strengthen community cohesion and actively confront prejudice. I was able to increase funding to protect Jewish communities from hate crime, took concrete steps to combat antisemitism and helped shape the original plans for the proposed holocaust memorial and learning centre near the Houses of Parliament.

I’ve also had the honour of working closely with HMDT and many others committed to Holocaust commemoration. I’ve walked the haunting grounds of Auschwitz-Birkenau and paid my respects at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem. These experiences left a lasting impression on me, reinforcing my belief that memory must always serve as a guide to moral clarity and resolve. In 2019, going against official advice, I had the honour of becoming the first UK cabinet minister to visit the Western Wall in Jerusalem in decades – a visit that reaffirmed my commitment to stand with the Jewish community both at home and abroad.

HMDT is a national institution rooted in the belief that education and remembrance inspire action against injustice. I know that as time passes and the Holocaust grows more distant, and as the voices of brave survivors become fewer, our approach to HMD will inevitably evolve. But if we approach it with thoughtfulness, innovation, and, above all, humanity, remembrance can remain just as powerful.

Together, we have the chance to shape a different future – one where prejudice is not a stain on our society but a memory of a dark time we have overcome. We may not all share the same faith, skin colour or background, but we do share a common humanity. And that is something we must protect – together.