Susan, to people living in England the poppy was, until recently, worn by those who freely chose to commemorate the war dead and support the British Legion annual appeal.More recently, Tony Blair as Prime Minister hyped up the annual remembrance events as an instrument to deflect opposition to his military adventures in Iraq. The most notable aspect of his campaign was the introduction of a one minute silence/work stoppage at 11 am on 11th November. You will note this was not previous practice.In some parts of the UK the poppy is political. In Northern Ireland and parts of West/Central Scotland the remembrance events provide an opportunity for the Orange Order to celebrate, and there are numerous Orange Walks linked to wreath laying.To many in the Catholic minority this alienates them from the events. For example, my father, who served as a regular soldier in the British Army from 1937-49 never wore a poppy or took part in a remembrance ceremony when living in Scotland as he saw these events as sectarian provocations.When he moved to England in 1964 he was finally able to join the British Legion and started to wear a poppy.It should also be remembered that while Orangemen celebrate the Battle of the Somme with numerous parades the Republicans in Northern Ireland commemorate the 1916 Easter Rising and the murder of its leaders by the British Army. They also commemorate the Bloody Sunday massacre in Derry in 1972, an atrocity that the Cameron government has only recently admitted.The current trial of 2 Real IRA members for the killings of 2 British soldiers in 2009 also illustrates that we live in a less than united kingdom.Football itself is affected by these divisions. A few years ago Neil Lennon, then captain of Northern Ireland, was forced to abandon his international football career after death threats were made to his family because of his support for a united Ireland. Last year he was the target of parcel bombs, an offence for which two "Loyalists" are currently awaiting trial.On Monday this week Radio 5 Live announced that Craig Samson, the St Mirren goalkeeper, was a surprise call up to the Scotland squad to play Cyprus this weekend. What they failed to report was that his call up was to replace a goalkeeper squad member who had been arrested on the Sunday for alleged sectarian offences.The 2010 General Election produced a Conservative-led coalition. However, the Conservatives polled less than 17% of the popular vote in Scotland and won only 1 seat out of 59. In Northern Ireland Sinn Fein polled the highest vote of parties contesting elections there.The Scottish Government is struggling to introduce legislation to tackle sectarianism. However, they also point out that the sectarian nature of the British state is part of the problem. After standing down as Prime Minister Tony Blair became a Roman Catholic. To some Loyalists this was evidence that he was a closet Fenian. To many Catholics north of the border this was confirmation of religious discrimination at the heart of the state as he could not have been Prime Minister under the constitution.To conclude, do you not find it ironic that footballers are FORCED to wear the poppy when these commemorations take place?
John Connelly ● 5285d