Nandy ‘horrified’ by Tory claim she used Remembrance Sunday for ‘EU membership pitch’
By Google News Category Europe ·
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Lisa Nandy has said she is âhorrifiedâ by a claim that she is using Remembrance Sunday to launch âan EU membership pitchâ.
The Conservatives accused the culture secretary of suggesting that Brexit had broken the bonds of peace forged by Britainâs Second World War veterans, when she announced her Erasmus+ scheme.
Speaking ahead of Remembrance Sunday commemorations at the Cenotaph, Ms Nandy had said: âAs 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.â
Kevin Hollinrake, the Conservative Party chair, said: âOur veterans did not fight for a student exchange scheme. Using their sacrifice to clear a £570m cheque to Brussels is tone deaf and frankly shameful. Lisa Nandy should withdraw this release and apologise.â
In response, Ms Nandy said Remembrance Sunday âis not a time for politicking, and Iâm actually kind of quite horrified that the chairman of the Conservative Party has chosen to do thatâ.
Speaking to Sky News today, she added: âI 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 just feels like a bit of a stretch.
âI think we cannot pay lip service to a generation that made that sacrifice. We have to honour them by working as hard in peace to strive for peace as they had to do in war.â
The UK will officially rejoin the Erasmus+ scheme in January, enabling students and young people to study, train or gain work experience across the European Union, Ms Nandy announced earlier this week.
She said the initiativeâs return after a six-year absence would help rebuild closer ties with European neighbours.
Britain departed the programme in 2020 under Boris Johnsonâs Brexit agreement, after the then-prime minister claimed it failed to deliver value for money.
The scheme was replaced by the Turing Scheme, which has now ended.
Preparations for the UK to re-enter the Erasmus programme were originally outlined as part of former prime minister Sir Keir Starmerâs post-Brexit reset agreement with Brussels in 2025.
Ms Nandy said: âAfter six years away, the UK rejoining the Erasmus+ programme is a clear symbol of our ambition and intent.
âThis time round, we want Erasmus+ to provide every young person, from all backgrounds and all regions, the opportunity to take part and have the enriching, life-altering experience of international exchange.â
Up to £400m will be made available via the British Council to support schools, youth groups and sports teams.
The government reported securing a 30 per cent reduction on participation fees for 2027, which it says will save taxpayers roughly £240m.
More than £30m has been designated for youth initiatives, specifically targeting areas with historically lower participation levels, such as the North East, East Midlands and Yorkshire.
Under the arrangements, young people can participate in short exchanges lasting several weeks, while 18-year-olds from disadvantaged backgrounds could be eligible for free rail travel across EU nations.
Applications are due to open later this month, with the government…
Originally published by Google News Category Europe
