Chichester councillors speak out over 'attempts to politicise' Remembrance Day

During a meeting of the district council, a motion was tabled calling for the likes of the Royal British Legion to be exempt from any charges when using the council’s car parks to support the Poppy Appeal.

Roy Briscoe (Con, Westbourne) raised the issue after learning that the council wanted £23.40 to allow military vehicles to use three large bays at the Pound Street car park, in Petworth, for three Sundays, while money was raised. This was in line with the events and activities policy, which was approved in 2024.

While nothing was charged in the end, as the organisers chose not to use the car park, the question about whether they should be charged in the future remained.

Mr Briscoe said: “We as a council have a duty not just to apply policy but to exercise judgement, compassion and common sense when it really matters.”

He acknowledged the support the council had given over the years, such as making £10,000 available to help parishes commemorate VE and VJ Day, and offering space for poppy sales free of charge.

It was the issue involving the Petworth car park which rankled. He added: “To ask the volunteers to pay for the privilege of doing so – even a so-called nominal fee – is wrong in principle and tone deaf to the meaning of remembrance.”

Jonathan Brown, deputy leader of the council, tabled an amended motion affirming its full support for the Armed Forces community and agreeing to review its policy on the use of car parks – but offering no exemption to the Royal British Legion.

The amendment added that the council ‘regrets and rejects all attempts to create division or politicise an important day of national remembrance and commemoration’.

But it was pointed out by Brett Burkhart (Con, Fernhurst) that the motion was not at all politicised.

Mr Brown added: “My disagreement with Cllr Briscoe is over the specific proposal to allow a significant number of military vehicles to accompany that collection, essentially without any controls.

“For the avoidance of any doubt, while the display of military vehicles is not an intrinsic part of either the act of commemoration or of selling poppies, I have absolutely no problem with the local group wanting to combine the two. I am fully behind local groups putting their own twist on things, having their own local traditions, and so on.

“But I do not agree with Cllr Briscoe’s proposal to give them – or any group – carte blanche.”