RESPONDING to Michelle Donelan’s column (Government should do more to support our war veterans, November 11), like Ms Donelan I also attended a Remembrance Day service (in Swindon).
Unlike Ms Donelan, who I suspect wore a white peace poppy and took part in the laying of a white poppy wreath. Like many families across Wiltshire, I too lost family members in the trenches of WW1.
Sadly due to the UK’s military involvement in recent conflicts, eg Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya, I feel I can no longer wear the red poppy. How can I wear something that shows support for illegal wars?
Wars that have resulted in millions of deaths and displaced persons.
Ms Donelan says: “Charities should not have to collect money to meet the needs of those who have served in the military.”
I found it to be hypocritical of her to make such statements, as in July of this year she voted in favour of spending £200 billion on the renewal of the Trident nuclear weapons defence system, £200 billion spent on weapons that if ever used would obliterate mankind; this at a time when ex-servicemen are sleeping on the streets and the public services are being decimated by her government’s austerity policies.
MARTIN WEBB
Anti-War Campaigner
Swindon Road
Old Town
Swindon
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