Nigel Farage has made a “cast-iron” Remembrance commitment after a parade in his Clacton constituency was cancelled over a “spurious” insurance issue.
The Reform UK leader, who is a known history buff, last week offered to cover the costs to ensure Walton-on-the-Naze’s Remembrance Sunday parade would get the go-ahead.
However, Farage confirmed the outstanding insurance issue means Walton-on-the-Naze’s parade will remain cancelled ahead of Armistice Day.
Speaking exclusively to GB News, Farage revealed the parade will return to the Essex seaside town in 2025.
Nigel Farage confirms Remembrance parade’s return after Walton-on-the-Naze event axed over ‘spurious’ insurance issue – ‘Cast-iron guarentee!’ PAHe said: “The parade is not going ahead this year. I spoke to the Chief Executive of Tendring District Council.
“I’ve offered, personally, to pay for insurance for the parade but there’s not time this year to make that work.
“I do have a promise that next year, when the insurances are done for parades, and obviously Clacton itself has one, that Walton will be included, and it’ll be paid and insured for by Tendring District Council.
“I have an absolute cast-iron guarantee that from next year, the Walton parade will become part of the official civic ceremonies of Tendring District Council.”
Farage also expressed his wider concern about Essex holding fewer parades compared to five years ago.
“I think it’s very sad that five years ago in Essex there were 77 parades and this year there’ll be nine,” Farage said.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Nigel Farage on Gold Beach in Arromanches in Normandy, France, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landingsPA“I’m not going to single out Tendring District Council but I don’t quite understand why the Royal British Legion themselves can’t do all of this.
“But that’s where we are. Parades are disappearing everywhere for what I think are pretty spurious insurance reasons.
“We still have wreath-laying but the parade through town and village centres used to be a very, very big part of Remembrance Sunday.
“They’re in steep decline but I’m pleased to say that Walton next year will reverse that trend.”
The Royal British Legion’s Walton-on-the-Naze branch last week confirmed the town would not hold its parade due to the aforementioned insurance issue.
Neil Hayes, of Walton Royal British Legion, said: “Due to circumstances beyond our control, there will be no Remembrance Sunday parade this year, due to changes in insurance regarding parades.
Nigel Farage with veterans to mark D-DayNIGEL FARAGE“This decision has not been taken lightly, but for everyone’s safety was deemed necessary.
“Plans are already being looked into to bring the parade back next year.”
Hayes, who is also a local Reform UK Councillor, added: “This does not detract from the main service of remembrance and wreath-laying, which is still going ahead.
“This year we have a representative from His Majesty the King, the Vice Lord Lieutenant of Essex, laying a wreath.”
The Royal British Legion claimed the “responsibility for Remembrance parades lies with the local authority” and urged GB News to approach Tendring District Council about Walton-on-the-Naze’s cancelled event.
Responding to this year’s cancellation, a Royal British Legion spokesman added: “Local Remembrance services and parades are civic functions that are attended and supported by the Royal British Legion, and whilst we are happy to be consulted and provide assistance to organisers, the Legion is not responsible for, nor takes any final decisions regarding the delivery of these events.”
Despite Whitehall’s major parades, the number of events in Essex are dwindling
PA
However, Tendring District Council has also claimed Remembrance parades do not fall under its remit.
Pledging to ensure Walton-on-the-Naze’s parade returns next year, Tendring District Council leader Mark Stephenson said: “TDC is proud to champion our veterans and the Armed Forces; we have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and hold their employer recognition scheme gold award, which commits the council to supporting the Forces community, and we have also appointed our own Armed Forces Champion.
“While it is disappointing that the Remembrance parade will not take place in Walton this year, it should be noted that the service in Walton will still go ahead as planned to honour all those who have lost their lives in service.
“We have spoken to the MP for the area and TDC will do its best to work with Walton’s branch of the Royal British Legion, which organises the event, to ensure a parade can go ahead next year.”
Nigel Farage in Clacton-on-Sea
PA
Despite hopes of the parade returning next year, Frinton & Walton Town Councillor Pierre Oxley revealed how the community feels about the 2024 event being axed.
He told GB News: “Everyone is disappointed and I think the main thing is that everyone works together to deal with the issues going forward.
“We owe so much to these people and it’s a very emotive subject.
“If you say to people you can’t march to honour the fallen and gave the ultimate sacrifice it’s very emotive.
“I absolutely get that. The key is that everyone works together, both the Royal British Legion and Tendring Council.”