Councillor demands removal of white poppies

White poppies placed for sale in a council office as an alternative to traditional red ones have caused a row among city councillors.

Former Lord Mayor and ex-Conservative group leader Peter Abraham has demanded a box of the “peace pledge” flowers be removed from an office shared by councillors of all parties.

The white poppies, which represent a lasting commitment to peace, were placed in the office by new Green Party councillor for Clifton East, Carla Denyer.

In an email chain seen by Bristol24/7, Abraham, councillor for Stoke Bishop, responded to a note left by Denyer requesting donations:

Conservative mayoral candidate Charles Lucas added in an interview with Bristol24/7: “I think it is crass to hijack a British Legion appeal for other causes.

“Anybody who campaigns or collects money that in any way impacts on the British Legion fundraising is wrong.”

The row comes as Prime Minister David Cameron launched this year’s poppy appeal by buying the first red poppy outside 10 Downing Street.

The Bristol and Somerset 2015 Poppy Appeal was launched on Friday with a mounted parade from the MoD in Abbey Wood to College Green. The life of the UK’s longest serving poppy seller was due to honoured at the launch at Bristol Cathedral.

UK’s longest serving poppy seller, who died in May, to be honoured at appeal launch https://t.co/5q9GM5lToQ pic.twitter.com/Z54vKntPqW

— BBC News England (@BBCEngland) October 23, 2015

White poppies were started by the Co-operative Women’s Guild in 1933 as symbol against war. They are promoted by the Peace Pledge Union, who say there are “better ways to resolve conflicts” than war.

But some have argued in the past that they undermine those who have fought in wars or lost their lives.

The Royal British Legion does not object to white poppies, but advises that they should not be offered alongside red ones.

A statement on the charity’s website reads: “We have no objection to white poppies, or any group expressing their views.

“We see no conflict in wearing the red poppy alongside the white poppy. We do ask that the items are not offered alongside each other however as this would confuse the public.”

Poppy appeal launch Bristol.#brutish legion #poppy pic.twitter.com/j3Pvckfhzy

— michelle (@MichelleDacaidh) October 23, 2015

During the row between councillors, an email to Abraham from Green group leader Rob Telford said: “Remembering the sacrifices made by millions of British citizens also includes a ‘forward remembering’ and requires an active response to build peaceful solutions rather than just continue the cycle of violence which has affected people of all nations.

“Many retired army veterans support the cause of building peace in our world that the white poppy represents.

“I would request that red poppies should also be placed alongside the white poppies, so that people can choose which they would like to wear and which cause(s) they would like to contribute to.”