Lisa Nandy rejects criticism after linking Erasmus to Remembrance Sunday

Lisa Nandy has rejected allegations that celebrating the UK rejoining Erasmus+ by linking it to Remembrance Sunday was inappropriate. The Culture Secretary prompted criticism from the Conservatives for suggesting in an announcement about the scheme that it would help to honour “the immense courage of those who served our country”, ahead of Remembrance Sunday. Kevin Hollinrake, the Tory chairman, suggested she was using the national civic occasion to “try to make an EU membership pitch”.

But speaking to Sky News’ Sunday Morning programme, Ms Nandy firmly defended her position. 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.”

Conservative party chairman Kevin Hollinrake called on the minister to withdraw her statement and apologise Credit: PA 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.” In a statement announcing the return of Erasmus+, Ms Nandy had said: “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.”

In response, Mr Hollinrake 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. Lisa Nandy should withdraw this release and apologise.”