Foreign Secretary David Lammy has announced his intent to wear a “Poppy for Palestine” to “honour all freedom struggles” – because apparently, there’s no cause too divisive for a British institution.
The poppy, traditionally a tribute to the UK’s fallen soldiers, has for the first time been modified to feature a small green stripe, symbolising Lammy’s “commitment to an inclusive approach to remembrance.” The Secretary explained, “Our national events must evolve with the times, and what better way than to subtly redefine a century-old tradition?”
Lammy’s initiative has sparked an enthusiastic, if slightly bewildered, response among his supporters, with some even suggesting a crossover event where different poppy designs celebrate causes from around the world. “It’s time for remembrance to go global,” said an anonymous spokesperson. “We should be able to remember everybody at once, really. The Somme, Gaza, the Industrial Revolution – the more poppies, the merrier.”
His “Poppy for Palestine” announcement has also caused a bit of confusion at the Foreign Office. After Lammy was heard exclaiming “From the river to the sea, poppies shall be free,” puzzled aides scrambled to clarify if he was taking on horticulture as well.
The National Remembrance Committee was said to be “considering the new poppy design with cautious optimism.” A spokesperson noted, “It’s untraditional, yes. But if there’s one thing British ceremonies need, it’s a little spice from international conflicts.”
Whether or not “Poppies for All” will catch on remains to be seen. Still, David Lammy’s move has, at the very least, given the British public something new to talk about as they gather for this year’s ceremony. So, as some might say: Lest we forget… and by the way, let’s not forget too many others while we’re at it.
