In a divided nation, remembrance still unites us
Looking around our communities this Remembrance Day, and over the weekend just gone, it is easy to see how much the country has changed and, some might say, how divided it has become. Yet despite everything, the crowds still gather. The silence still falls. The poppies still bloom proudly on lapels.
That, to me, is something to be proud of. No matter how fractured public debate feels or how polarised our politics may seem, people across the West Midlands and across the country still come together to remember those who served and sacrificed.
In every town square and village memorial, at churches and cenotaphs, we see people of all backgrounds standing side by side. That act of shared remembrance is one of the last truly unifying moments we have left as a nation. It reminds us that while opinions may differ, respect endures.
Beyond the world wars
But as we pay tribute to the heroes of the First and Second World Wars, I believe it is time we also bring to life the stories of those who have served since. From Korea and the Falklands to Iraq and Afghanistan, a new generation of veterans has given their all, and they too deserve a place at the heart of our communities.
These men and women are part of our living history. They carry experiences and lessons that should never fade into the background. Too often we focus our remembrance solely on the past, the great conflicts that shaped the last century, and forget the more recent ones that shaped the lives of those among us today.
Keeping remembrance relevant
If we want the next generation to understand the meaning of service, sacrifice and solidarity, we must tell those stories too. We must ensure that every veteran, young or old, feels seen and valued, not just on one Sunday in November but every day of the year.
I am proud that remembrance still brings us together. It shows that even in times of disagreement there remains something deeper that binds us: gratitude, respect and humanity. That is worth holding onto.
Because as long as people keep turning up, bowing their heads and standing shoulder to shoulder, we will know that the spirit of remembrance and of unity still lives on in Britain.
