Green Party leadership steps up support for the white poppy
Green Party leadership steps up support for the white poppy
Senior figures in the Green Party have voiced their support for the white poppy, highlighting its message of peace and inclusive remembrance as they take part in remembrance events across the UK this Remembrance Sunday.
Zack Polanski, Leader of the Green Party, will attend the national white poppy ceremony in London on Sunday. He has said that remembrance should include civilian victims of war as well as military personnel, and should focus on "actively promoting peace".
Meanwhile the Green Party MP Carla Denyer, until recently co-leader, will lay a wreath of white and red poppies at Bristol’s official city ceremony. Her participation reflects a wider trend, as white poppies are increasingly included in official remembrance events across the UK.
The National Alternative Remembrance Ceremony, attended by Polanski, is organised by the Peace Pledge Union (PPU), the UK's leading pacifist organisation and distributor of the white poppy. The event commemorates all victims of war, both civilian and military, of all nationalities. Acclaimed actor Sir Mark Rylance will speak at the ceremony, which will draw attention to the catastrophic loss of life in wars over the past year.
Zack Polanski will arrive at the ceremony directly after attending the mainstream event at the Cenotaph. Explaining why he plans to attend both events, he said, "It is important to me to prioritise being here as well as at the National Service of Remembrance. We need to remember all the victims of wars, including those beyond the battlefield – the communities and civilians affected."
Zack Polanski added, "Remembrance should not only be about the past but also look towards a better future. It should be about actively promoting peace and to say wholeheartedly: never again."
Carla Denyer MP said: “This weekend, I will lay a wreath of red and white poppies at Bristol’s Remembrance Sunday service. Every November, I choose to wear both white and red poppies: red to help those who have been affected by war, and white to actively build peace as an alternative to war."
She added: "In today’s unstable world, where so many lives are being lost to war, the message of the white poppy feels more important than ever: ‘No more wars. No more killing. Let us work for peace.’”
White poppies are becoming a regular part of more official remembrance events across the UK. In places such as Leicester and Bristol, supporters have collaborated effectively with local councils, the Royal British Legion and others to ensure their inclusion. The PPU said this cooperation highlights the growing public recognition of the white poppy.
MPs from several parties, including Labour, the Greens, the Liberal Democrats and Plaid Cymru, have worn white poppies in recent years.
The PPU's Remembrance Project Manager Geoff Tibbs said, "It's very encouraging to see the white poppy gaining wider regognition. The conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine and many other places have shown the devastating impact that wars have on people's lives, especially on civilians. The white poppy wreaths laid at ceremonies around the country this weekend acknowledge the suffering of all victims of war—past and present—and renew our resolve to work for a more peaceful future."
Alongside official events featuring white poppies, dozens of independent ceremonies and vigils will take place this Sunday, focusing on the message of the white poppy.
White poppies, first introduced in 1933, symbolise remembrance for all victims of war, both civilian and military, of all nationalities. They also represent a rejection of militarism and a commitment to peace. This contrasts with red poppies, which, according to the Royal British Legion, commemorate only British and allied armed forces personnel and express “support for the armed forces.”
Image - Green Party MP Carla Denyer at last year's National Alternative Remembrance Ceremony, with comedian and PPU member Kate Smurthwaite