Politically speaking with Yvette Cooper MP: 'We have never known times like these before'

The Queen spoke for the country when she said on Sunday night, “I hope in the years to come everyone will be able to take pride in how they responded to this challenge.
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“And those who come after us will say that the Britons of this generation were as strong as any….”

She also spoke of “quiet, good humoured resolve and fellow-feeling” - something we’ve seen across our towns since this crisis began.

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None of us have ever known times like these. As I write these words, we have heard the awful news that the prime minister is in intensive care.

Politically speaking with Yvette Cooper MP: We have never known times like these beforePolitically speaking with Yvette Cooper MP: We have never known times like these before
Politically speaking with Yvette Cooper MP: We have never known times like these before

All our hearts will go out to his family and I wish him a speedy recovery. I know that we all will take comfort in knowing that he – and everyone else suffering from this awful virus – is in the hands of our world-class NHS doctors and nurses who are working immensely hard to give everyone the best possible care.

That’s why all of us will be out again this evening clapping the extraordinary bravery of our carers – in the NHS, local care homes and the community – and essential workers from shop workers to cleaners and many more besides who keep our country going.

This virus can hit any of us. The fight against it needs support from all of us – following NHS guidance on staying home and saving lives, keeping vital services going, or supporting friends and neighbours.

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Labour’s new leader Keir Starmer is right to say that Labour will act in the national interest and engage constructively with the Government to help defeat this virus. This is a time for working together.

Round here we’ve a tradition of supporting each other in tough times – that matters most when people feel isolated and worried. I want to thank everybody who is already helping friends or neighbours.

We’ve seen Pontefract New College donate supplies to Prince of Wales Hospice, Knottingley police delivering lunches to the elderly, Burberry in Castleford making gowns for hospitals, Wentbridge House Hotel cooking for NHS workers, Normanton school children making cards for elderly residents.

If you want to find out how to help, contact me on [email protected].

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To come through this we need positive action and working together.

I’ve spoken to ministers to seek more protective equipment to keep our local health heroes safe.

We also need a massive increase in testing, not just for health workers but for everyone. Many families and businesses still need urgent help and I have pressed the Government for further support.

And I’ve been working with Wakefield Council, whose staff are working immensely hard setting up community support hubs.

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None of this is easy. But as the Queen movingly said: “We should take comfort that while we may have more still to endure, better days will return: we will be with our friends… and families again; we will meet again”.