Latest boost for campaign to award a medal to NHS heroes fighting coronavirus
by Ben Glaze, https://www.mirror.co.uk/authors/ben-glaze/Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle tonight backs the Mirror's campaign to Give NHS Heroes a Medal.
The senior MP, widely-respected on all sides of the House, threw his support behind out fight to honour the brave men and women fighting on the coronavirus frontline.
Sir Lindsay, 62, said: “It is an absolute privilege to support this campaign for the heroes of the NHS who so richly deserve recognition.”
The MP, who entered the Commons in 1997, became Speaker last November in the run-up to general election.
In his six months in office, he has tried to heal divisions in Parliament triggered by Brexit and has been praised for his handling of debates.
Sir Lindsay's endorsement is the latest boost for our battle to win a gong for NHS staff risking their lives against Covid-19.
Last month, all five living former Prime Ministers threw their weight behind the drive.
We first called for a medal for frontline heroes on March 28 – a bid backed by military historian and peer Lord Ashcroft, who owns the world's biggest private collection of VCs.
Our call has also been supported by a host of TV stars, MPs and footballers, including Manchester City and England striker Raheem Sterling.
There have been suggestions for the accolade to be called the Nightingale Medal in honour of the pioneer of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale.