Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has sparked anger with a Remembrance Sunday tribute to the European Union, backing the UK’s moves for closer ties.
In a statement released ahead of this morning’s ceremony at the Cenotaph, Nandy said the government was honouring those who served through schemes like the Erasmus+ student exchange programme.
She confirmed the scheme would be returning next year, six years after it was scrapped by Boris Johnson’s government post-Brexit.
But her decision to link the plans to Remembrance Sunday sparked backlash from the Conservatives, who called it ‘tone deaf and frankly shameful’.
The Department of Culture’s release said the minister would use today’s moment of reflection to highlight how the return to Erasmus+ ‘will help young people from every background and region build the strong links with Europe that veterans’ service helped to secure’.
Nandy said: ‘Our future generations must know the significance of those who served in our national story, that they forged a path for friendship and cooperation that meant no one in our country has had to fight a war since.
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‘In that spirit, this government is building stronger, better ties with our EU neighbours. After six years away, the UK rejoining the Erasmus+ programme is a clear symbol of our ambition and intent.’
She added: ‘As we remember the immense courage of those who served our country, we honour them by building the best opportunities for the next generation through closeness and collaboration with our allies.’
Kevin Hollinrake MP, Conservative Party Chairman, said: ‘Remembrance Sunday is a day for the nation to stand together in silence and honour those who gave everything for our country.
‘It is not a day for a Labour minister to try to make an EU membership pitch.’
He continued: ‘Our veterans did not fight for a student exchange scheme. Using their sacrifice to clear a £570 million cheque to Brussels is tone deaf and frankly shameful.
‘Lisa Nandy should withdraw this release and apologise.’
Asked about Hollinrake’s comments on Sky News this morning, Nandy said she would ‘strongly, strongly disagree’ with them.
She said: ‘It’s Remembrance Sunday, it’s not a time for politicking, and I’m actually quite horrified that the chairman of the Conservative Party has chosen to do that.
‘They are the only party that is talking about Brexit and the European Union today.’
Nandy added: ‘I cannot see what is political about saying we want young people from every part of this country to understand the contribution that their grandparents and great-grandparents made.’
The King will join former prime ministers and other party leaders at the Cenotaph in London later this morning to remember and pay tribute to those who have died fighting for the UK and the Commonwealth.
Remembrance services will simultaneously take place across the country, leading up to the two minutes’ silence at 11am.
The British Council, the UK’s national agency for Erasmus+, is making up to £400 million available for schools, higher education, youth groups and sports teams to take advantage of the programme.
Applications for bids will open later this month, the Department for Culture said.
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