Nandy rejects claims of politicising Remembrance Sunday after Erasmus row

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has strongly denied allegations that she politicised Remembrance Sunday, following criticism for linking the occasion to the UK’s decision to rejoin the European Union’s Erasmus+ programme. On Saturday evening, her department issued a statement highlighting that, “as we mark Remembrance Sunday, Erasmus+ will give a new generation the chance to build connections across Europe.” This announcement sparked a sharp response from Conservative politicians, who argued that “veterans did not fight for a student exchange scheme” and accused Nandy of using the moment to push an “EU membership pitch.”

Nandy responded to the criticism by expressing that she was “horrified” at the Tory backlash, emphasizing that the renewed Erasmus+ scheme, which facilitates study and work opportunities, would actually help young people better appreciate the sacrifices made during wartime. The UK is set to rejoin Erasmus+ in January, six years after leaving the initiative as part of the Brexit arrangements. On Remembrance Sunday, Nandy’s department drew a parallel between the programme and tributes to veterans. In a press release, she stated, “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.”

The Conservative Party chairman Kevin Hollinrake condemned Nandy’s remarks as “tone deaf and frankly shameful,” demanding an apology. He stressed that the bonds formed by veterans “run far deeper” than something like Erasmus, and argued, “It is not a day for a Labour minister to try to make an EU membership pitch.” Reform Party leader Nigel Farage also weighed in, telling the BBC that using Remembrance Sunday to frame the scheme “all about peace” and “all about the war” was in “very, very poor taste.” Peter Sharples, chief executive of the Veterans Institute, similarly voiced that Remembrance Sunday should remain focused on “honouring the fallen,” free from “party political matters.”

During an interview on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Nandy stood firm on her comments, citing Winston Churchill’s post-Second World War advocacy for fostering friendship across Europe as a foundation for honouring the legacy of that generation. She highlighted that Brexit had cut off opportunities for young British people to understand not only the contribution made at home but also how British forces fought for the freedom of others across the continent. When pressed about accusations that she had chosen Remembrance Sunday to promote part of the government’s new deal with the EU, she replied that she was “not choosing today or any day actually to promote a deal with the EU.” Responding to questions on linking the commemorations to the scheme’s cultural benefits, Nandy said, “There was a time where that wouldn’t have even raised an eyebrow as somehow political, it was just common sense – and it is common sense.”

Ahead of the January relaunch, the UK government has committed £570 million to participate in the expanded Erasmus+ programme, stating this represents a 30% discount. The scheme will feature free year-abroad placements for university students in the UK and across Europe, as well as cultural exchanges. Additionally, the government plans to offer free train passes to 18-year-olds to travel within EU countries, either alone or with up to five friends. Youth groups will also be able to partake in short exchange visits, with a focus on regions previously less engaged with Erasmus, such as the North of England and the Midlands. Applications for the programme will open later this month.

Critics such as Nigel Farage have labelled Erasmus “a terrible scheme” and “wildly expensive” compared to the UK’s own Turing Scheme, launched in 2021. He also voiced frustration over the ongoing UK-EU negotiations for a new youth mobility scheme, ahead of an important summit scheduled for 20 November. Meanwhile, former EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier warned the UK against “cherry picking” elements of the single market in its future arrangements. Commenting on the broader relationship with the EU, Nandy acknowledged on Sunday that many of the Brexit promises made in 2016 “have not been realised” and that there are difficult “trade-offs and choices to be made” concerning Britain’s ongoing ties with Europe