RODNEY HIDE (Leader—ACT) Link to this
I move, That this House recognises the vision and skill of Air Chief Marshal Sir Keith Rodney Park, GCB, KBE, MC and Bar, DFC, RAF, in leading to victory those who fought on the ground and in the air during the Battle of Britain; notes that the failure of Nazi Germany to defeat the RAF in 1940 was Hitler’s first major setback, forcing him to call off the planned invasion of Britain; supports the Sir Keith Park Memorial Campaign to erect a permanent statue of Sir Keith on the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square; believes that such a memorial is long overdue to redress the lack of public acknowledgment of this great man’s leadership and would ensure the role of the RAF in defending Britain is formally recognised in Trafalgar Square; notes that a memorial would be particularly fitting given that RAF will be celebrating its 90th anniversary in 2008; and recognises that such a memorial could provide an iconic reminder of the selfless action shown by many of those from Britain, New Zealand and the Commonwealth in the heroic and victorious defence of our country.