Labour minister savaged over ‘shameful’ EU Remembrance Sunday blunder
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy. (Image: GETTY)
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy is under pressure to apologise for using a “tone deaf and frankly shameful” Remembrance Sunday statement to announce an EU youth mobility scheme. The Cabinet Minister announced on Sunday that the UK will rejoin Europe’s Erasmus+ scheme, allowing young Britons to study, train or get work experience in the European Union.
Ms Nandy said Britain should honour its veterans by creating new opportunities for future generations “through closeness and collaboration with our allies”. But Conservative Party Chairman Kevin Hollinrake has demanded the Culture Secretary withdraw her remarks and apologise.
He 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.
“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.”
Veterans reacted to her statement with fury.
Col Richard Kemp, a former head of British forces in Afghanistan, said: “On Remembrance Sunday, it is not about Erasmus or anything like that – it is all about remembering and commemorating the people who made the supreme sacrifice. The focus of that should not be taken away by the Government.”
And Maj Gen Timothy Cross CBE, a retired British Army officer and military logistics expert, accused the Culture Secretary of using Remembrance Sunday for “political point scoring”.
Ms Nandy on Sunday morning defended against allegations that celebrating the UK rejoining Erasmus+ by linking it to Remembrance Sunday was inappropriate.
She was asked about criticism from the Tories about the announcement as she appeared on Sky News’ Sunday Morning programme.
She told the broadcaster: “I strongly, strongly disagree, and it’s Remembrance Sunday, it’s not a time for politicking, and I’m actually kind of 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. What we are announcing this weekend is that we’re going to widen the Erasmus scheme.”
Ms Nandy said there was “a whole generation of young people growing up, they will never get the chance to meet a World War II veteran”.
She added: “They are remembered, that generation, across the whole of Europe because they fought alongside many of our European allies, but they liberated many, many people across Europe from tyranny.
“I cannot see what is political about saying that we want young people from every part of this country to understand the contribution that their grandparents and great-grandparents made, not just to us, but to many, many lives of people that they had never met.”
Britain left the Erasmus+ scheme in 2020 under Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal and was replaced by the Turing Scheme, which was scrapped when the Government announced the new Erasmus+ deal.
Labour Minister Savaged Over ‘Shameful’ EU Remembrance Sunday Blunder
The Labour government has faced fresh criticism following a controversy involving Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy and her comments about Britain’s relationship with the European Union ahead of Remembrance Sunday. Her attempt to connect closer European cooperation with the sacrifices made by British soldiers during the two world wars has provoked an angry political reaction. Critics have described her remarks as inappropriate and accused the government of using a solemn national occasion to promote its European agenda. The incident has once again highlighted the deep divisions surrounding Brexit, national identity and the political interpretation of Britain’s wartime history.
The controversy emerged after Nandy announced that Britain would officially rejoin the Erasmus+ student exchange programme in January 2027. The programme provides opportunities for students, apprentices, teachers and young people to study, work and gain experience in European countries. The Labour government considers the decision an important step towards rebuilding relationships with European neighbours following Britain’s departure from the European Union. Ministers believe that participation will improve educational opportunities, strengthen international cooperation and create new possibilities for younger generations.
However, the timing of the announcement attracted considerable criticism. In her statement ahead of Remembrance Sunday, Nandy referred to the sacrifices made by British veterans during the Second World War and suggested that their legacy should encourage Britain to strengthen its relationships with European countries. She argued that the generations who fought for freedom had helped establish a peaceful Europe and that the country should continue developing cooperation with its neighbours. Although her intention was to present European cooperation as a positive legacy of the war, her comments quickly became the centre of a political dispute.
Conservative politicians were particularly critical of her remarks. Kevin Hollinrake, chairman of the Conservative Party, accused the Labour minister of using the sacrifices of British servicemen and women to promote the government’s political objectives. He argued that those who died during the world wars had not sacrificed their lives to support a modern European student exchange programme. In his view, Remembrance Sunday should be dedicated to honouring military personnel who lost their lives in service rather than being used to advertise government policies.
The criticism also extended beyond Westminster. Several veterans and military figures expressed concern about the way the government had connected the Erasmus+ announcement with wartime remembrance. Peter Sharples, chief executive of the Veterans Institute, argued that Brexit was not a matter that needed to be incorporated into commemorations for fallen soldiers. Colonel Richard Kemp, a former commander of British forces in Afghanistan, also criticised the comments, describing them as inappropriate. Their reactions reflected a wider concern that political leaders should exercise particular sensitivity when referring to the sacrifices of military personnel.
For many British people, Remembrance Sunday is one of the most important occasions in the national calendar. Every November, communities across the country gather at war memorials to remember members of the armed forces who died in conflicts. The red poppy has become a powerful symbol of remembrance, sacrifice and respect. Ceremonies are held in towns, cities and villages, with representatives of the armed forces, veterans, public institutions and local communities participating. The occasion is generally viewed as an opportunity to unite people regardless of their political opinions.
Nandy, however, strongly rejected accusations that she had shown disrespect towards veterans. She expressed disappointment at the criticism and argued that her comments had been deliberately misrepresented for political purposes. According to her position, remembering those who fought in the world wars should involve protecting the peace and international relationships that emerged from their sacrifices. She believes that encouraging young people to understand European history and develop friendships across national borders is consistent with the values of cooperation and freedom defended by previous generations.
The Erasmus+ programme is an important part of the government’s broader strategy to strengthen educational and cultural relationships with Europe. Britain participated in the programme for many years before leaving it following Brexit. The previous Conservative government introduced the Turing Scheme as an alternative, providing funding for international educational exchanges. However, Labour has argued that Erasmus+ offers wider opportunities through its established network of European universities, colleges and youth organisations.
Under the new arrangements, the government expects more than 100,000 people to benefit from participation. Students will be able to study at European universities, while apprentices and further education learners will have opportunities to gain professional experience overseas. Schools, youth organisations and sports groups will also be able to participate in international activities. Ministers believe that these opportunities will help young people develop language skills, cultural understanding and professional experience that could benefit their future careers.
The financial arrangements have also been presented as an important achievement. Britain has negotiated a reduction of approximately 30 per cent in its participation fees for 2027, which the government estimates will save taxpayers around £240 million. Funding of approximately £400 million is also expected to support educational exchanges and youth opportunities. Ministers argue that participation in Erasmus+ will help ensure that international education is available to young people from disadvantaged backgrounds rather than being restricted to those who can afford expensive overseas experiences.
Nevertheless, the Conservative opposition has questioned whether the financial benefits justify the expenditure. Critics argue that the government should concentrate on domestic priorities, including the National Health Service, education, housing and the cost of living. They also believe that Britain should avoid becoming increasingly dependent on European institutions after voters chose to leave the EU in the 2016 referendum. Supporters of the programme counter that educational exchanges can improve skills, productivity and international business relationships, creating benefits for the British economy over the longer term.
The controversy also reflects the continuing political consequences of Brexit. More than six years after Britain’s departure from the European Union, politicians remain divided over whether leaving the bloc has strengthened or weakened the country. Brexit supporters believe that Britain has regained greater control over its laws, borders and economic decisions. They argue that national independence was a central part of the referendum result and should be respected by successive governments.
On the other hand, supporters of closer European cooperation argue that Brexit has created additional difficulties for businesses, universities and individuals. They point to increased administrative barriers, reduced opportunities for educational exchanges and the need to negotiate new arrangements with European partners. From their perspective, restoring practical cooperation does not necessarily mean reversing the referendum result. It simply reflects the reality that Britain remains geographically, economically and culturally connected to Europe.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has also indicated that his government wants to improve relations with the European Union. His administration is exploring cooperation in areas such as trade, energy, food standards, security and youth mobility. However, the government has faced the difficult task of balancing economic opportunities with concerns about national sovereignty and public opinion.
The political challenge for Labour is to explain its European strategy without creating the impression that it intends to reverse Brexit without public discussion. Ministers must demonstrate that closer cooperation can produce practical benefits for ordinary people. At the same time, they must recognise that the referendum remains an important democratic event in modern British history.
Ultimately, the dispute involving Lisa Nandy demonstrates how easily historical memory can become part of contemporary political arguments. Her supporters believe that European cooperation reflects the peaceful international relationships established after the Second World War. Her critics believe that Remembrance Sunday should remain separate from political announcements and government campaigns. Both the importance of remembering fallen soldiers and the value of international cooperation deserve serious consideration.
In conclusion, the Labour minister’s comments have created an unnecessary political confrontation at a particularly sensitive time of national remembrance. The government now faces the challenge of rebuilding confidence in its European policy while demonstrating respect for Britain’s military history. Remembrance Sunday should provide an opportunity for national reflection rather than becoming another battleground between political parties. Britain’s veterans deserve lasting recognition for their sacrifices, while younger generations deserve opportunities to build a peaceful and prosperous future. The most important responsibility for political leaders is to respect both objectives without allowing historical remembrance to become a tool for political division.