Political correctness won’t even leave our poppies alone as the Royal British Legion seeks new ‘Head of Diversity and Inclusion’ - Sarah Todd

Filling up with fuel seems about all that can be done to soften the impending blow of today’s first Labour budget. Maybe going for a pint before any predicted duty rises?

Decisions will have been made and it’s doubtful any of the protestations from workers, pensioners, small and medium sized business owners (like pubs) or traditional family farms will have been listened to. They are easy targets, along with countless others who have spent their lives paying into a system that doesn’t even pretend to be interested in them.

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The world has gone mad and all it seems to be interested in are so-called celebrities and politically correct causes.

November will be with us come the end of this week and, with it, veterans and other volunteers will be out and about selling poppies.

Giant poppies are painted onto the grass pyramids alongside the M8 motorway. PIC: Jane Barlow/PA WireGiant poppies are painted onto the grass pyramids alongside the M8 motorway. PIC: Jane Barlow/PA Wire
Giant poppies are painted onto the grass pyramids alongside the M8 motorway. PIC: Jane Barlow/PA Wire

For generations, the Royal British Legion has coordinated this noble effort in the run-up to Remembrance Day, an annual reminder of the sacrifices made by all those who have fought for our country, past and present.

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How typical of the times we are living in to read that the charity is advertising for a new ‘Head of Diversity and Inclusion’, on a salary of between £64,122 and £67,437 a year. A newspaper piece written by somebody cleverer than this correspondent worked it out, including advertising fees, as a recruiting cost equivalent to around 80,000 poppies.

When little old ladies put their loose change into the collecting boxes down at the supermarket or outside the Post Office is this what they are imagining the charity spending money on? Not only this, but the legion is now selling a badge featuring the traditional poppy alongside the rainbow-coloured progress pride flag used by LGBTIQ+ groups.

There is, of course, nothing wrong with having respect and awareness for all. But recently it can appear that groups can’t run any kind of event or fundraiser without fear of not being seen as inclusive to minority groups. Can we not just leave traditional good causes alone without always having to make some kind of additional point with them? After all, there are so many other special days in the calendar to remember all sectors of the population.

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Our country has followed the USA in having a whole Pride Month in June and it does a great job, raising awareness about challenges faced and making a positive impact. But there is already this special awareness month, so why muscle in on the traditional red poppies? Quite possibly it doesn’t matter and this is just clever marketing? Getting ahead of the curve and helping everybody to feel included, so poppy sales - of whatever colour - keep being relevant to today’s population. Just feels like nothing is straightforward anymore; with every event or organisation always having to be all things to all people and causes.

Talking of annual events, if only November 5 remained in the simple format of years gone by. With a birthday a few days later, Guy Fawkes Night was always a special and exciting time of year during this reporter’s childhood. A bonfire, sparklers, a few Catherine Wheels and maybe the odd banger or two. Stuffing hessian sacks with straw to make a Guy.

Now it’s the most dreaded time of the year. Especially when, like this year, it falls in the middle of the week. There should be a law in place that firework displays are only allowed on the proper day, November 5.

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Horses, dogs, cats, people with special needs such as autism or others who are unwell can all be badly upset. Talking earlier of veterans, an interesting article was read about an ex-soldier and the memories of conflict zones today’s mega-bangs bring back. These big, brash displays (often money making rather than worthy cause supporting) seem somehow symbolic of the lack of respect people now have for others who live nearby.

Is it because we are all so distanced, that people don’t know the families at the other end of the village or street, so it doesn’t matter? Back in the day, everybody knew about and was part of Bonfire Night. It was that one night, a big coming together of the local community.

Maybe not enjoying fireworks is simply a sign of getting older. But that’s not true. When one of my late grandmothers was in a care home, it did the most magical display that the residents loved. Family and friends came to visit at the same time and the nostalgia of eating jacket potatoes, sausages and suchlike, along with swirling a sparkler for those that were able, was wonderful to see. But always on November 5. The residents would have, quite rightly, said it was daft on any other day.

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