Mayor of London Ken Livingstone has announced plans to establish an annual Veterans Day event in London with the first event to take place in Trafalgar Square on Friday 27 June 2008.
City Hall officials say the the Mayor will work with Ministers, Veterans’ groups and London boroughs to plan and host the event which will celebrate the achievements of those who have served in the Armed Forces.
Mayor Livingstone said his aim “is that on Veterans’ Day every year London pays tribute to all our veterans, the sacrifices they have made and our gratitude to those who have served our country in the Forces or in the Merchant Navy and Fishing Fleets.”
Derek Twigg, Minister for Veterans, said he was “sure Ken Livingstone will put on a fantastic event and I hope as many people as possible get involved to show their appreciation for our Service veterans. We are all very proud of them.”
Shettie says
Or – In answer to Barbara above – the event is boycotted – and only those ORDERED to attend do so – There are other events around the country that those wanting to take part in can go to – probably organised by people who really DO respect the Armed Forces – sod Red Ken!
Barbara says
They are a bunch of liars, cheats and worst of all egomaniacs. They have the gaul to stand up there and take the praise for organising something they ridiculed for long enough. Sickmaking!!!!!
I hope the veterans and their supporters turn out in droves and embarass the blazes out of these so called politicians. Good luck and THANKYOU to them all!!!
james says
Maybe I’m a cynic, but this seems more a self serving attempt by the politicians to bask in reflected glory, particularly given Livingstone’s record.
Paul Carlin says
“mendacious, unprincipled, political dross”. One of the better descriptions of these two. The thought of Livingstone giving anything more than a sneer towards British servicemen makes me shiver. Why can’t he simply tell the truth for once? He supports the ideals of every foreign terrorist there is, so this ‘plan’ is clearly nothing more than an effort to boost his own career.
Jeremy says
What a sham by Livingstone who: “made perhaps his most controversial move in December 1982, when the GLC extended an official invitation to Sinn Féin leaders Gerry Adams and Danny Morrison. In the event, Adams and Morrison were denied entry into the country under the Prevention of Terrorism Act and met with Livingstone in Northern Ireland instead.”
With an election coming up and his campaign flagging he now wants to bask in the Services rightly deserved publicity. This man is completely shameless. Time go Ken.
paul (Ex RN) says
Cynical, and sickening, maneuverings by a discredited, dishonourable, government and a mayor (?) who is desperate to hold onto power at whatever cost to the London taxpayers.
Tony (Ex Army) says
What the hell is going on?? Livingstone has had nothing but contempt for HM Forces in the past, call me a cynic, but even this won’t get him re-elected.
455wg says
Would this hypocrisy have anything to do with a future election?
Was not Livingstone the man who called the IRA “Freedom Fighters” whilst they were murdering both British troops and innocent civilians?
Bemused says
As an ex-serviceman, who served in NI and lost friends to the IRA, I welcome this opportunity to see Red Ken in the flesh at a “Veterans” day, where we can get together with some other like minded souls and give the bloke the comprehensive kicking he so richly deserves.
Chuck Unsworth says
Is this the same Livingstone who encouraged people to attack British troops, who freely and publicly consorted with members of the IRA, who has spent so many years doing down our armed forces?
Is this the same Derek Twigg who has been the most disastrous ‘Voice for Veterans’ in the House of Commons?
Is this charade to replace Remembrance Day?
Is there some sort of election coming up shortly?
These people are mendacious, unprincipled, political dross.
Susan Bastin says
Ken cannot establish this event there have already been two events in London Last year at Greenwich and the year bewfore at the War Museum. This year’s wasl already being planned for Whitehall. He has just pinched this from the original organisers, it is not his to establish it is there already just not in Trafalgar square