Labour faces backlash over Erasmus+ announcement on Remembrance Sunday
- Labour announced the UK will rejoin the EU's Erasmus+ programme in January 2027.
- The announcement was made on Remembrance Sunday, sparking widespread criticism.
- Conservative chairman Kevin Hollinrake demanded an apology from Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy.
- Critics labeled the timing of the announcement as tone-deaf and shameful.
- The government plans to scrap the Turing Scheme as it returns to the European initiative.
The Labour Party announced on Remembrance Sunday, 8 November 2026, that the United Kingdom will rejoin the European Union's Erasmus+ youth exchange programme.
The United Kingdom is scheduled to officially rejoin the student exchange scheme in January 2027.
Critics label announcement tone deaf and shameful
Opposition politicians and military veterans criticised the announcement, describing it as "tone deaf and frankly shameful".
The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, also labelled the timing as "tone deaf and frankly shameful".
Critics argued that the day should be reserved for honouring those who died in service. This controversy emerges as the Labour Party maintains a platform that includes goals for economic stability, secure borders, national security, and improving street safety.
Conservative and Reform UK demand apology from Nandy
Conservative Party chairman Kevin Hollinrake demanded that Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy withdraw her remarks and issue an apology.
Hollinrake accused the Culture Secretary of using a national civic occasion to make an "EU membership pitch".
He further criticised the government for using military sacrifice to "clear a £570million cheque to Brussels".
Reform UK Treasury spokesman Robert Jenrick also criticised Lisa Nandy for overlooking the 7,193 British soldiers who have died in conflicts since 1945, including those in Korea and Afghanistan.
Robert Jenrick accused both Lisa Nandy and Mayor Andy Burnham of failing to "meet the moment" on Remembrance Sunday.
Military veterans condemn political point scoring
Colonel Richard Kemp, former head of British forces in Afghanistan, said the focus of Remembrance Sunday should be on commemorating the fallen. He argued it should not be on government announcements like Erasmus+.
Retired British Army officer Major General Timothy Cross CBE accused Lisa Nandy of using the Remembrance Sunday occasion for "political point scoring".
Lisa Nandy defends policy as honouring veterans
She asserted that the country has enjoyed 80 years of peace since the Second World War.
She added that those who served "went to war to give us 80 years of peace".
Erasmus+ funding and the end of the Turing Scheme
This existing scheme is now being scrapped as the UK returns to the European initiative.
Critics, including veterans, characterized the announcement as using the sacrifice of the armed forces to justify a £570 million payment to Brussels. More than £30 million is specifically earmarked for youth projects in communities that have historically had low participation in international opportunities.
Andy Burnham's push for closer EU ties
Andy Burnham is advocating for the United Kingdom to establish closer ties with the European Union.
Frequently Asked Questions
- ‘Tone deaf and frankly shameful’ as Labour savaged over Remembrance Sunday EU announcement - London Business News | Londonlovesbusiness.com (londonlovesbusiness.com)
- Labour minister savaged over 'shameful' EU Remembrance Sunday blunder | Politics | News | Express.co.uk (express.co.uk)
- Veterans shouldn't sleep rough this Christmas, Burnham says - AOL (aol.com)
- Lisa Nandy rejects criticism after linking Erasmus to Remembrance Sunday (wandsworthguardian.co.uk)
- Labour (tavily.com)
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