Poppy power

Columnist Kenny Macaskill says he will not be wearing a poppy this year because he fears it is increasingly being seen as a symbol that glorifies war.

The poppies are not glorifying war, they are commemorating the lives of men and women who did not live a long life but were killed in wars. We should wear a poppy with pride to remember those men and women and give the money so that those service personnel are helped.

Linda Dennis

I wear my poppy to thank those who made it possible for me to be here. I am not celebrating war, I am respecting those who gave so much.

Norma Mcdonald To me a poppy represents a life, a life that fought and died to allow me the freedom I enjoy today. I see nothing glorious in how that life was

lost. I only see courage and bravery.

Ross Sangster The poppy has never stood for the glorification of war, rather, it is a symbol of remembrance. We forget our history and the cost of it at our peril.

Richard Little

Yes, remember those who so tragically died, and the untold misery that brought, but coupled to a resolve to live in peace and harmony – not to fuel and participate in future arms races which, sadly, we continue to do. There is nothing to celebrate in that. Our remembrance needs to be coupled with a resolve to move on.

Alan Johnson

I hope we can lower the temperature of debate on this subject and listen to each other – after all, people of all classes and political persuasions have suffered in war. We should all be able to remember in our own way. I too will donate but I will only wear a poppy on Remembrance Sunday, as was the custom when I was growing up. These days there is a pressure to wear a poppy for weeks and public figures are harassed in the media if they don’t conform. I feel the message is getting lost in this political, “shouty” atmosphere.

Ben Mcguire I will also wear my poppy on Remembrance Day and fall silent at the 11th hour, but I refuse to be caught up in all the political point scoring and wearing poppies since the middle of October saying “look at me I remember them more than you”.

Margaret Downie Quigley I am now 78 years old and never needed to go to war, my son is aged 50 and has never needed to go to war and I sincerely hope my grandchildren will never face that possibility so I will wear my poppy with pride and gratitude.

Robert Murray