Rattled politicians have hit out at a Liberal Democrat-run council after the authority rejected a VE Day military parade because it was deemed “too elitist”.
Hertfordshire’s Dacorum borough council has dumped all of the community’s plans to commemorate the end of the Second World War on May 8 with a parade, The Telegraph has reported.
Flabbergasted by the decision, local politicians slammed the council as the Liberal Democrats advised people to host their own street parties if they wish to celebrate the day.
Infuriated by the decision, Conservative councillor Graeme Elliot told The Telegraph: “I’m very dismayed about the lack of celebrations.
A Conservative councillor said that he was “very dismayed” by the council’s “lack of celebrations” (File picture)
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“My father fought in that war. I had an uncle who died in the Battle of France.
“That was the golden generation. So you think 50 years of a council is far more important than the men and women who gave their lives?”
Last year, the same council held a huge parade marching through Hemel Hempstead to celebrate “50 Fest” – to commemorate the council’s own 50th anniversary.
Explaining why the council made the decision against a military parade, councillor Caroline Smith-Wright declared: “We have decided at this point to enable communities to come together and have street parties and I think that is for the community, that is for everyone, that encompasses everybody – it doesn’t just leave the elite and people to just, kind of, parade.
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“This is about normal people celebrating in their communities, bringing people together, sharing food, sitting at a table, celebrating and I think that’s a fine way to celebrate VE Day.”
Echoing Elliot, independent Jan Maddern said: “I’m quite dismayed by this as well. We missed in effect the 75th anniversary of VE Day because we were in Covid.
“I can remember having street parties where we all sat on our drives in my cul-de-sac, safe distancing from everyone else. I think we should do better.”
Meanwhile, the Labour councillor Pete Hannell urged the local authority to rethink its decision, saying: “My children and grandchildren are facing a war in Europe now where the aggressor is being appeased in the way that Chamberlain was arguably appeasing Hitler in 1938.”
Across the rest of the UK, VE celebrations will be aplenty (File picture)
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Responding to the widespread, cross-party criticism facing the council, Smith-Wright said: “I do appreciate and understand everyone’s strong feelings. As far as street parties go, we invite residents to sign up to have their road closed – that’s an immense expense.
“It costs thousands to shut a road for a street party, it’s free currently.”
Across the rest of the UK, VE celebrations will be aplenty.
On May 8, a flypast of the Red Arrows across the capital is scheduled to go ahead while further celebrations including a service at Westminster Abbey attended by veterans and members of the Royal family will take place.
