The hypocrisy of Remembrance Day

LIKE many others I attended a remembrance day service. In my case it was to show my respect and love for the members of my family who were killed during both World Wars, including my grandfather in 1940 who had been evacuated from Dunkirk and was just nine days short of his 25th birthday when he died.

His daughter – my mother – was just seven months old.

At the same time, my thoughts drifted to the fate of our living veterans, including those who have to deal with disability or homelessness.

The figures for our heroes are appalling – 130,000 veterans living rough, thrown out onto the streets without support by this appalling government.

One veteran, David Clapson, was given a death sentence for offending the government’s sensibilities, not only did he claim benefits but he was late for a meeting with the DWP.

His benefits were stopped meaning that he couldn’t pay for the electricity to keep his insulin cool in the fridge, meaning it spoiled. When found, Mr Clapson had no food in his stomach and hadn’t eaten for days.

The European Convention on Human Rights guarantees the right to life. So far this government have caused or accelerated the deaths of over 100,000 people.

I wonder if Theresa May was thinking of David Clapson or any of the 130,000 homeless veterans when she was hypocritically attending the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance; somehow I doubt it even crossed her mind. JOHN W GRAY,

Washington