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First world war centenary events must honour home front, says Labour MP First world war centenary events must honour home front, says Labour MP
(35 minutes later)
Britain's first world war commemorations should go further than the poppy fields of Flanders and also remember the war's wider impact on the home front, including the roles played by railwaymen, miners and factory workers, the Labour representative on the commemoration committee has said. Britain's first world war commemorations should go further than the poppy fields of Flanders and also remember the war's wider impact on the home front, including the roles played by railway workers, miners and factory workers, the Labour representative on the commemoration committee has said.
Dan Jarvis, the Labour MP for Barnsley Central and a former soldier, said the commemoration had to reflect the way in which the war marked the end of an Edwardian era and ushered in fundamental changes in society, including the empowerment of women and the labour movement.Dan Jarvis, the Labour MP for Barnsley Central and a former soldier, said the commemoration had to reflect the way in which the war marked the end of an Edwardian era and ushered in fundamental changes in society, including the empowerment of women and the labour movement.
In a speech to the Labour History group, he argued: "We have also to remember the heroes on the home front – the miners, factory and railway workers … those who worked the land and cared for the wounded." In a speech to the Labour History group, he said: "We have also to remember the heroes on the home front – the miners, factory and railway workers … those who worked the land and cared for the wounded."
He said the war had a huge impact on the labour movement, leading to a surge in union membership, the first Labour cabinet minister, an extension of the franchise and an increase in electoral support for the party.He said the war had a huge impact on the labour movement, leading to a surge in union membership, the first Labour cabinet minister, an extension of the franchise and an increase in electoral support for the party.
"The commemorations also have to be about how our country changed the type of country those returning came back to and the legacy to the society we live in to today. There has always been a tension about the first world war ceremonies and the extent to which they should seek to reflect the justice of the war or the futility of much of the trench warfare," he said."The commemorations also have to be about how our country changed the type of country those returning came back to and the legacy to the society we live in to today. There has always been a tension about the first world war ceremonies and the extent to which they should seek to reflect the justice of the war or the futility of much of the trench warfare," he said.
"If the first world war is part of the story of how working men and women won a greater say in pubic, it is also part of the story of how Labour emerged as a greater force in British politics.""If the first world war is part of the story of how working men and women won a greater say in pubic, it is also part of the story of how Labour emerged as a greater force in British politics."
But he added: "I don't believe politicians should be in the business of writing our nation's history. I don't think the public want us to be handing down official positions on events from a century ago. As I see it, our role is to engage the public, raise awareness and create an environment where we can discuss these issues openly."But he added: "I don't believe politicians should be in the business of writing our nation's history. I don't think the public want us to be handing down official positions on events from a century ago. As I see it, our role is to engage the public, raise awareness and create an environment where we can discuss these issues openly."