UPDATE: Reform UK’s London Assembly Members, Alex Wilson and Keith Prince, are facing intense criticism for their absence from the annual Remembrance Day service at City Hall on November 10, 2023. The event, attended by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and representatives from multiple organizations, marked the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, emphasizing the sacrifices made by servicemen and women.
Political opponents have condemned Wilson and Prince for missing this significant occasion. A spokesperson for Reform UK stated that Wilson is currently in Israel as part of a party delegation, while Prince attended two local remembrance services over the weekend and is set to participate in another tomorrow.
“Both were conspicuous by their absence,” stated Bassam Mahfouz, Labour’s Assembly Member for Ealing and Hillingdon. He emphasized the importance of unity among political representatives during such a solemn occasion to honor those who sacrificed their lives for freedom.
Assembly Member Emma Best, Deputy Leader of the City Hall Conservatives, added: “This is the second year Reform have not turned up to the Remembrance Service at City Hall.” She criticized the party for failing to demonstrate patriotism and respect for those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Pictures from the service showed Assembly Members from Labour, the Liberal Democrats, the Conservatives, and the Green Party in attendance, laying wreaths and paying their respects. The event underscores the ongoing commitment of the London Assembly to honor the courage of the armed forces and emergency services.
Len Duvall, Chair of the London Assembly, remarked on the significance of the anniversary, stating: “The debt we owe to those who gave their lives to protect our country cannot be overstated.” He highlighted the historical struggle for democracy against totalitarianism, a sentiment that resonates in today’s global context.
On the same day, party leader Nigel Farage was not present at the national remembrance service at the Cenotaph, opting instead to attend a separate event in Walton-on-the-Naze, which raised further eyebrows among critics.
In response to the backlash, a spokesperson for Reform UK reiterated that both Assembly Members remain dedicated to the act of remembrance, having participated in services both locally and abroad. “Alex Wilson AM is currently away as part of a Reform UK delegation to Israel, where he visited Commonwealth war graves,” the spokesperson noted.
As political tensions rise around the issue of remembrance, the absence of Reform UK’s leaders from this critical event has sparked a wider debate about the role of political representation in honoring national sacrifices. What will be the long-term implications for Reform UK in the wake of this controversy?
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
