// BBC UK NEWS — CRONACA
Nandy rejects claims of politicising Remembrance Sunday after Erasmus row
The culture secretary was interviewed by Laura Kuenssberg on Sunday
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has rejected accusations of politicising Remembrance Sunday after being criticised for linking the event to the UK rejoining the European Union's Erasmus scheme.
Her department announced on Saturday night that "as we mark Remembrance Sunday, Erasmus+ will give a new generation the chance to build connections across Europe".
That sparked a backlash from the Conservatives, who said "veterans did not fight for a student exchange scheme" and accused her of making an "EU membership pitch".
Nandy said she was "horrified" by the Tory response and insisted that the expanded EU scheme for study and work would help young Britons recognise wartime sacrifice.
The UK is rejoining the scheme in January, six years after leaving it as part of the Brexit deal.
On Saturday, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport drew comparisons between that scheme and events on Sunday to commemorate veterans who had died in conflict.
Referring to the scheme, Nandy said in her department's press release: "As we remember the immense courage of those who served our country, we honour them by building the best opportunities for the next generation through closeness and collaboration with our allies."
Conservative Party chairman Kevin Hollinrake described her comments as "tone deaf and frankly shameful" and called on Nandy to apologise.
He said the bonds that veterans forged "run far deeper" than Erasmus.