This past week saw the annual commemoration of the fallen on Armistice Sunday. Marking the end of the Great War, the day is one of solemnity and memorial, with a yearly service and procession being attended by politicians, royalty, and the general public.
This year, Keir Starmer travelled to France at the invitation of French President, Emmanuel Macron, attending France’s national commemoration and laying a wreath at both war memorials in Paris. He is the first Prime Minister to do this since Winston Churchill in 1944.
Whilst Starmer’s trip across the channel is undoubtedly admirable, and was likely a forerunner to a meeting between both Prime Minister and President, is Starmer’s venture south performative patriotism? Perhaps he was killing two birds with one stone?
Nevertheless, it is undeniable that rising nationalism across the country has mounted an increased fervour for poppies and patriotism. In the wake of an election in which the far-right Reform Party garnered 14.3% of the vote – over half of that attained by the Tory party – Starmer’s commemorations could be perceived as pandering to the rising wave of nationalism. Especially considering, the Labour Party’s need to perform in the wake of Starmer’s abysmal approval ratings.
Whilst the poppy appeal began in 1921 as a humble, charitable endeavour to raise money for veterans and their families, in recent years the symbol has begun to be co-opted by the far-right. Where mourning, remembrance, and gratitude should be what the poppy represents, a more sinister, Imperial nostalgia has begun to replace them.
The poppy, and Remembrance Sunday itself, has started to be transformed into an emblem of hateful and gaudy propaganda, rather than a symbol of peace. Images of houses bedecked in English flags, oversized poppies, and cut-outs of soldiers are now prevalent along with the tattoos emblazoned across the chests of British men, reading: ‘Lest We Forget’. The solemnity of Remembrance Sunday and the true meaning of the poppy has been lost in an ironic display that has begun to applaud fascism, rather than resist it.
In the wake of the appropriation of the red poppy, the white poppy campaign has garnered more support. First produced in 1933 by members of the Co-Operative Women’s Guild, white poppies stand for the remembrance of all victims of war (both civilians and members of the armed forces), challenging war and militarism, and a commitment to peace. With the red poppy used increasingly as a problematic symbol, the white poppy denotes both respect and the key message of Remembrance Day: ‘never again’. I think many would do well to remember that.
“Rememberance Sunday” by glynneh is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.