WWI Victory Should Not Be Celebrated With ‘Dancing In The Street’, Minister Says

MP for Maidstone and the Weald, Helen Grant insisted that although the First World War gave Britain its much deserved victory, people should not be dancing in the street during the next four years of events and commemorations. She said it should be taken into consideration how the events would be remembered 100 years from now.

She told The Lady that Britain won’t try to hide the fact that it was a vital victory for the nation and that it completely changed the course of this nation’s history and the world history in numerous ways, but British people will not be celebrating this victory with dancing in the street or “sounding triumphant fanfares.”

She said there has to be a balance, of course not “four years of gloom and misery, but no dancing in the street either.” Professor Gary Sheffield of Watr Studies at the University of Wolverhampton believes that celebrating can mean several different things and that it is logical to celebrate your country’s efforts to win the war. He said the efforts made by this nation were huge on the battle front and also the home front, the Express reports.

Previously, Education Secretary Michael Gove suggested that the left wing are using shows like Blackadder as a propaganda tool. He said that they are depicting myths about World War One, which have served to “denigrate virtues such as patriotism, honour and courage.”

For a long time for a huge number of people, the First World War was envisioned as depicted from tv dramas such as Blackadder,Oh! What A Lovely War and The Monocled Mutineer and that even today there are certain left wing academics who like feeding on these myths.

Mr Hunt said he is pleased to see that the Government is adopting a more reflective tone now.

The Western Front Association said the every centenary should be remembered by the British people and by the world with pride and respect and they should emphasize the courage, the braveness of British troops who by the end of the First World War won memorable battles, which paved their way to victory.

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Ian Harvey

Ian Harvey is one of the authors writing for WAR HISTORY ONLINE