COUNCILLORS have been urged to remember the “local lads” who never came back from war as the District prepares to mark the 100th anniversary of the 1918 Armistice.

And one has hit back at students who made headlines for refusing to mark the annual Remembrance Day.

Next month will mark the 100th anniversary since the end of the First World War. A number of events are planned in Bradford to mark the occasion, and the importance of remembrance was discussed at a meeting of the Full Council on Tuesday.

Cambridge University Conservative Association recently proposed a motion calling on the university to carry out greater recognition of Britain’s veterans, particularly on Remembrance Day. But this was replaced by an alternative version which removed the words “British war veterans” and “Remembrance Day” to reflect the university’s status as an international institution. Objectors who amended the proposal told student newspaper Varsity that they felt the original motion focused on remembrance as glorifying war instead of working to end it.

Ultimately the university students’ union council opted to scrap the motion altogether, and it has since come under a huge amount of criticism.

At Tuesday’s meeting, Councillor Simon Cooke (Cons, Bingley Rural) said: “In Bradford we have a track record of doing this stuff really well. But I recently saw a debate by some of the most privileged people in the country, students at Cambridge University, who voted to not remember. They completely missed the point of Remembrance Day. It isn’t about remembering leaders and generals, it is not about Lloyd George, Churchill, Nixon or Blair. Noone will forget them, they’ll be remembered regardless.

“This is about remembering the working class lads from places like Bradford who went to war, regardless of whether we think it was justified. They were sent to go to war, and many didn’t come back. They did it for their communities. There were also contributions from people from the Caribbean, India and the area that is now Pakistan, and from all over the world.

“When I hear people say remembrance is glorifying war, I say it is not, it is remembering what these young men did. I urge everyone to attend the services and hear the names of these men read out.”

Cllr Cooke then received an ovation from fellow councillors.

Councillor Joanne Dodds (Lab, Great Horton), said: “We owe it to future generations never, ever forget.”

The Council voted for Cllr Cooke’s motion, agreeing that: “The Council believes that the cause of peace is served by remembering the sacrifices of armed servicemen and women as well as in noting the horrors of war.

“The Council affirms its commitment to supporting the Military Covenant and to providing support to current and former members of Britain’s armed services.”

Last week Remembrance poppies were placed on trees and lighting fixtures in City Park, and attached to all Council vehicles.

Bradford Cathedral will host the 72nd Festival of Remembrance on November 4, and there will be a Remembrance Ceremony and wreath laying at Bradford Cenotaph on November 11.

A full list of Remembrance events throughout the district will be announced shortly.