Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy is facing calls to apologise after using her Remembrance Sunday statement to announce that the UK will rejoin Europe's Erasmus+ scheme, allowing young Britons to study, train or gain work experience in the European Union. The announcement has sparked anger among veterans and MPs, who have branded the move "tone deaf and frankly shameful."
Announcement on Remembrance Sunday
Ms Nandy said Britain should honour its veterans by creating new opportunities for future generations "through closeness and collaboration with our allies." She stated: "This Remembrance Sunday, we come together to reflect and honour the sacrifices that our Armed Forces made in the First and Second World Wars, and continue to make today."
The Culture Secretary added: "We are about to raise the first generation for whom fighting a war really is part of history. 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."
Conservative Party Chairman demands apology
Conservative Party Chairman Kevin Hollinrake has demanded that Ms Nandy 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."
Mr Hollinrake added: "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 react 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."
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 defended the announcement, saying: "In that spirit, this Government is building stronger, better ties with our EU neighbours. After six years away, the UK rejoining the Erasmus Plus programme is a clear symbol of our ambition and intent."
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.
