Labour is facing a significant backlash over its approach to Remembrance Sunday, with accusations that the party attempted to link the commemoration of war dead to a potential European Union reset. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy's department drew criticism for comparing the Erasmus+ student exchange scheme to the "strong links with Europe that veterans' service helped to secure" after World War II.
The remarks were made ahead of solemn events at the Cenotaph in London and across Britain and the Commonwealth. Conservative Party chairman Kevin Hollinrake stated that Remembrance Sunday is a day for national unity and honoring those who sacrificed, not for a Labour minister to make an "EU membership pitch."
However, Ms. Nandy defended her comments in media interviews, suggesting that her critics were the ones politicizing the day. She asserted that the Conservative Party was the one discussing Brexit and the European Union, not Labour. Her department had previously released a statement indicating that the Erasmus+ program, which the UK has rejoined under Labour, would "give a new generation the chance to build connections across Europe" and help foster strong ties with the continent.
The controversy coincided with concerns about Andy Burnham's proposed Brexit reset, which could potentially lead to a large influx of young European workers into the British job market. Mr. Hollinrake criticized Ms. Nandy's statement for appearing to ignore conflicts and sacrifices made by British troops since 1945, including in Korea, the Falklands, Northern Ireland, Iraq, and Afghanistan. He argued that veterans did not fight for a student exchange scheme and called her comments "tone deaf and frankly shameful."
Further complicating the matter, Mr. Burnham is reportedly facing internal opposition within the Cabinet over his plan to negotiate a bilateral youth mobility scheme with the EU. Ministers have expressed worries that such a program could negatively impact the British jobs market, particularly at a time when the government is focused on reducing youth unemployment. One minister noted the potential contradiction of aiming to get young people off welfare while simultaneously proposing to allow a million young Europeans to compete for jobs in the UK.
Negotiations are ongoing for a scheme that would allow individuals under 30 to live, work, study, and travel in both the UK and the EU. The EU is reportedly seeking lower university fees for European students in the UK, while the UK has sought to impose quotas on the number of EU youths entering Britain. Other potential agreements at an upcoming summit include deals on food and drink to reduce bureaucracy and on carbon emissions, which would link the UK and EU's emissions-trading systems. Mr. Burnham has suggested that the summit could initiate a "dialogue" on the UK's future relationship with Europe, without ruling out the possibility of Britain eventually rejoining the EU.