The 60th anniversary ceremonies commemorating the end of World War 2, will make this year's Remembrance Sunday on November 13th particularly important.
However, is wearing a Royal British Legion Red Poppy before, during or after the annual Remembrance Sunday demonstrations and ceremonies, within the Designated Area i.e. Whitehall and the Cenotaph War Memorial, without individual prior written permission, now illegal ?
Even if the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis, actually wanted to exempt everyone who was wearing a Red Poppy from having to apply for prior written permission, there is no legal mechanism for him to do so. He must automatically grant such permission once it has been applied for in writing, and may choose not to apply any further conditions, but he has no discretion under the Act as it has been enacted.
It is impossible for anyone to argue that the whole purpose of the Centaph War Memorial, to demonstrate solidarity and remembrance with the victims and participants of various wars, the wreath laying ceremonies, the purchase and wearing of Royal British Legion Red Poppies, the "two minute silence" etc. are not an "organised demonstration". Therefore these activities within the Designated Area must fall foul of the Act, even though they are entirely traditional, peaceful and highly laudable.
Surely there must be equality before the Law, and it must be equally and fairly applied to everyone ?
Will the Metropolitan Police enforce the law against the Members of Parliament, the members of the Royal Family, VIPs and other dignatories who attend the Cenotaph ceremonies on November 13th ?
Surely the Government must repeal this stupid law before such a shameful national disgrace is allowed to happen ?
According to the Department for Constitutional Affairs website:
Remembrance SundayThe organisation of the Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph now rests with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and all functions previously administered by the Department for Constitutional Affairs were transferred to DCMS on 1 April 2005.
Any questions concerning this year's ceremony, and all future correspondence, should be addressed to:
Leila Brosnan
Access Branch
Architecture & Historic Environment Division
Department for Culture Media & Sport
2-4 Cockspur Street
London
SWIY 5DHTel: 0207 211 2380
leila.brosnan@culture.gsi.gov.uk
We await a reply to our enquiry, about whether or not it is now illegal to wear a Royal British Legion Red Poppy, within the Designated Area, without individual, prior, written permission.