Ego Before Remembrance
We decided to give this over to the voice of one of our readers, without comment.
Residents knew the Remembrance Service at East Ham’s Cenotaph would be scaled back due to Covid restrictions.
Councillors had been invited as is usual practise as they after all represent ordinary people.
Then on 04/11/20 the Mayor announced the service would be holding a private wreath laying ceremony, and councillors were informed.
When the Government said that services could go ahead across the country, the Mayor clearly restarted plans yet decided not to invite local councillors.
What made residents more upset was instead of a shorter service with no usual parade, the Mayor used the solemn day of silent remembrance to make a speech.
Not just a short few words but a speech almost 4 minutes long!
“This is an insult to East Ham’s war dead” said one resident. “This a time of reflection and quiet gratitude, it’s not a time for the Mayor to give a speech. Can you imagine if suddenly Boris grabbed a microphone at the Cenotaph in Whitehall?!”
“To add insult to injury the Mayor then uploaded her speech to social media. This is not what Remembrance Sunday is about.”