Today is Merchant Navy Day where we remember those who kept our island afloat during two world wars and since and thank those modern day seafarers for keeping our country fed, moving and supplied.

Luke said:

“A year ago today I was proud to be present at the unveiling of the Merchant Navy Memorial on Plymouth Hoe. It was a moving ceremony where we remembered not only those sailors and crews of cargo ships but also all those fishers who go to sea to put food on our plates.

“Merchant Navy Day matters to Plymouth. As a proud port city, we have a long association with not just the Royal Navy and the Royal Marines but with the merchant navy and our fishing fleets.

“I come from a forces family and am proud to defend our armed forces in Devonport and Stonehouse. But I am also vocal about the need to support our fishing sector and in the coming weeks I will be leading on the Fisheries Bill for Labour proposing ways to create more jobs in fishing, but importantly for today, proposing ways to make fishing safer for those who go to sea.

“Please take a moment today to remember and thank those who sail the ocean. Nearly all the items we import come by sea and you’ll be looking at this post on one of those imports now no doubt. We owe those who go to sea an enormous debt for their past sacrifices and those made today. Thank you.”

Find out more

The Merchant Navy Monument that remembers those who sailed in the merchant navy and our fishing fleets was unveiled a year ago today on Plymouth Hoe. You can find out more about the monument on its website here: http://mnmonument.uk/