Politics · United Kingdom · 4 hrs ago
Nandy defends linking Erasmus+ to Remembrance Sunday
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy defended linking Erasmus+ with Remembrance Sunday after criticism from Conservatives and others.
Her department said the exchange scheme would help young people build connections across Europe as the country remembered those who served in war.
The UK is rejoining Erasmus+ in January, six years after leaving it as part of the Brexit deal.
Nandy said the scheme would give young Britons a chance to understand the sacrifices made by people who fought for freedom across Europe.
Conservative chairman Kevin Hollinrake called the remarks an EU membership pitch and said the day should be reserved for honouring veterans.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and the head of the Veterans Institute also criticised the timing.
Nandy stood by her comments and said she was not promoting an EU deal on the day.
The government’s return to Erasmus+ is set for January.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy defended linking the UK’s return to the Erasmus+ scheme with Remembrance Sunday after Conservatives criticised the announcement.
Nandy said the scheme would help young people build connections across Europe and understand the sacrifices made in wartime.
The Conservatives accused her of using the commemorations to make an EU membership pitch and called on her to apologise.
The UK is set to rejoin Erasmus+ in January, six years after leaving as part of the Brexit deal.
- Who
- Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy and critics including Conservative Party chairman Kevin Hollinrake.
- What
- Nandy defended linking the UK’s return to Erasmus+ with Remembrance Sunday after criticism that she had politicised the commemorations.
- When
- The announcement was made on Saturday night, 7 November 2026; Nandy responded to the criticism on Sunday.
- Where
- The UK; Nandy discussed the row on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme.
- Why
- Nandy said Erasmus+ could help young people recognise wartime sacrifice and build connections across Europe. Critics said Remembrance Sunday was not a day for promoting an EU deal.
Lisa Nandy
Kevin Hollinrake and other critics
Purpose of the link
Lisa Nandy
Nandy said Erasmus+ would build connections across Europe and help young people understand wartime sacrifice.
Kevin Hollinrake and other critics
Hollinrake said linking the scheme to Remembrance Sunday was an EU membership pitch and an inappropriate use of the commemorations.
Appropriate focus
Lisa Nandy
Nandy said connecting the scheme to remembrance was common sense.
Kevin Hollinrake and other critics
Hollinrake said the day should be for the nation to stand together and honour those who served.
Nandy’s department announced that Erasmus+ would give a new generation the chance to build connections across Europe.
Nandy defended linking the scheme to Remembrance Sunday during an interview on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme.
The UK is due to rejoin Erasmus+, six years after leaving as part of the Brexit deal.
- Scheme
- Erasmus+
- UK return
- January, six years after leaving
- Announcement
- Saturday night, 7 November 2026
- Culture Secretary
- Lisa Nandy
- Critic
- Kevin Hollinrake, Conservative Party chairman
2 sources
What people are saying
It is not a day for a Labour minister to try to make an EU membership pitch.
I was horrified
There was a time where that wouldn't have even raised an eyebrow as somehow political, it was just common sense - and it is common sense.
For Lisa Nandy to use Remembrance Sunday to announce this and say it's all about peace, it's all about the war - I find that very, very poor taste.