Poppy Populism and the Militarisation of British Society

Over the last decade the celebrations surrounding Armistice day in Britain have been the subject of intense nationalist sentiment. Prior to this November the 11th was a day of reflection and marking of the end of WW1. Part of this change has been down to the nature of history itself, and the passing of ppl who served on the front line during the period. But a second reason is to be seen in the way the event is now being ‘managed’ by the Royal British Legion. In the process the RBL have sought to press home a quasi-nationalist interpretation of the event, with the poppy ceasing to be used in memory of the fallen of WW1, and more as a emblem of British patriotism and the socialisation of an idea of ‘Our Boys’ into public consciousness. As has been noted, the RBL’s recent conduct over Armistice Day has been characterised by a shift towards commercialisation and a authoritarian attitude in terns of how the poppy is worn, and how it deals with those who did not share it’s views on the act of Remembrance. It is this latter point which has resulted in RBL being accused of participating in the militarisation of the Poppy Appeal. Such a move has been even mooted by the RBL themselves in terms of their attempt to ‘embed’ themselves into ordinary society – making the Poppy Appeal part of everyday life. A significant context for this is that of the emergence in the last decade of a populist political discourse centred on ‘nationhood’ and identity. But it is also the case that the current economic model underpinning British capitalism, whilst atomising the individual, paradoxicaly formulates an account of ‘One Nation’ that draws on the instinct of both self sacrifice and self-interest simultaneously. The RBL is using this structural occurrence to refashion patriotism from a civic concept to one in which loyalty and commitment are conceived as ethics stemming from an individual’s choice. Thus Armistice Day has gone from being an act of collective memory, to a parade of the militarisation of solidarity, aimed at highlighting those ‘who do their bit’ in contrast to those who apparently do not. Good intentions founded the Poppy Appeal, but in 2015 it is in an existential crises. Stemming from how the RBL understand patriotism, Armistice Day has ushered in a military ethos into British society which is threatening to disrupt our very public sphere and our democracy which sustain are very way of life. Wear the poppy if you want, pay respect to the past, remember and honour the casualties of war. But do it as civilians - for that surely is what Remembrance Sunday is truly about.