It is rumoured that Boris Johnson said he would rather see the bodies piled high than have another lockdown.

Whether he said it or not is still being discussed, but sadly the indisputable fact is that the bodies were piled high. If you need to get a sense of what that looks like I suggest you go and visit the National Covid Memorial Wall, like I did recently.

Once you attend you will begin to understand the magnitude of the loss suffered. 

When I arrived at the wall, standing opposite the Houses of Parliament, I looked down and it stretched as far as the eye could see. It was a powerful and emotional image. 

I took a deep breath and composed myself as best I could as I walked along the wall, filled with more than 150,000 individually drawn red hearts, knowing that each and every heart represents someone who has died from or with Covid-19.  

Every step along the wall became more and more emotional and distressing, as I read the names of loved ones who had died. They were mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, aunties, uncles, nieces, nephews – and so many, many more. 

I saw many names, dates of birth, messages in different languages. People of all walks of life were brought together in grief and in the memory of their lost loved ones. This organic display of grief is a cry for help. I was so impressed and grateful for the wonderful and dedicated volunteers and organisers who have made this possible. 

I met an amazing woman named Fran whose story really touched me. Fran was with her husband Steve for 11 years before they got married last September, and just three weeks later he caught Covid-19 and sadly passed away. 

Fran showed me her heart on the wall for Steve, and I’m so thankful to her for having the strength to walk me along the wall and tell me her story. Incredibly, she told me she had drawn at least 2,000 hearts on the wall, each one she takes her time to make it as perfect as possible. She told me each person who died was perfect to someone, so it was the least they deserved. 

I asked for a pen to write the name of my Uncle Buck, who sadly died last year. Fran said, ‘write on the heart that speaks to you’. It meant so much to me to be able to create a lasting memory.

As I finished, a mother and two kids came rushing down frantically asking for a pen. A volunteer asked them if they had lost someone. The mother and kids said they had lost ‘my mother’ and ‘my grandma’ in unison. 

I then heard the volunteer saying that they were sorry for their loss. The look on the faces of the mother and children was almost one of shock, as if someone had listened to them for the very first time. It moved me – but it also showed the importance of this memorial. 

This will be a lasting monument, with more hearts added as we see yet further tragic loss of life to Covid-19. And importantly, volunteers will come back to the wall to ensure that the hearts never fade. 

MPs need to match this commitment. The memories must never fade, bodies were piled high and it is painful. I came to a realisation as I looked across the river to Parliament, that every MP should visit the wall. We need to show respect to those who have died.

Whether Boris Johnson said he would rather see ‘bodies pile high’ doesn’t negate the fact that 152,205 people have died, and some of those deaths could have been avoided.  

And while we learn more about the focus on VIP lanes and money going to mates it makes this incredibly offensive, upsetting and frankly disgraceful.

It’s been reported that the prime minister visited the wall under the cover of darkness at night, but he needs to visit when he can see the hearts and read the messages.

Unless he went with a torch, I doubt he would have been able to read them. Regardless, he wouldn’t get the full experience unless he went in the daytime and spoke to the families who created the wall. 

My visit also underlined just how important it is that we hold the independent inquiry as soon as possible. The collective voices of grieving relatives need to be heard and they deserve answers.

We must do the right thing and hold this inquiry to push for truth – so memories never fade, deaths are never overlooked, and that injustices are addressed and prevented in the future. 

The voices of bereaved families must not only be heard, but listened to and acted upon. Every single voice, of every single family of the lost ones.

Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing [email protected]. 

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