A National Holiday
Remembrance Day began at the end of the First World War, when an armistice was signed at 11 a.m. on 11 November 1918 to end the fighting. To mark the first anniversary, King George V asked the British public to observe a two-minute silence at 11 a.m. on 11 November 1919 — a custom that has continued ever since. Over time, the observance has come to honour all those who have died in conflicts involving British forces since that day.
The modern generations of Britain have been spared the total wars that scarred the early 20th century. The scale of loss, the deprivation, and the shared national trauma are almost beyond imagination today. While people remember the losses of the Falklands, Northern Ireland’s Troubles, the Gulf War, Iraq, and Afghanistan, few can truly comprehend what it means for an entire society to become the battlefield — when every family, every street, and every town bears the cost.
During the First World War, British military deaths averaged over 6,000 per day, totalling more than 888,000 military and 107,000 civilian lives over four years. On the first day of the Battle of the Somme alone, 19,000 British soldiers were killed. In the Second World War, the toll was lower but still devastating — around 384,000 military and 67,000 civilian deaths over six years, much of the civilian loss caused by the Blitz.
Lets put those to conflicts into perspective:
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Falklands War (1982): 255 British fatalities over 74 days
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Gulf War (1991): 47 British fatalities during Operation Granby
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Iraq (2003–2009): 179 British fatalities
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Afghanistan (2001–2021): 457 British fatalities
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Northern Ireland (1969–1998): 1,441 service personnel killed
These later conflicts were tragic, but they pale in comparison to the total wars of 1914–18 and 1939–45, when entire nations were mobilised, cities burned, and millions perished.
Some of today’s youth mistakenly see Armistice Day as glorifying war. Nothing could be further from the truth. It is not a celebration of conflict, but a solemn remembrance of sacrifice — of the soldiers, sailors, airmen, nurses, air-raid wardens, police officers, Wrens, WAAFs, and countless civilians who gave their lives so that others could live free from tyranny. The right to speak freely, to disagree, to protest — all of it was bought at an immeasurable price.
The British Democratic Alliance makes this solemn pledge:
To enshrine Armistice Day into a week of National Holiday in protected law as a Time of Remembrance, Reflection and Commemoration.
From the Friday before to the Friday following the week of the 11th November each year, that week long period shall be a national holiday. Where the 11th falls on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, the Holiday shall start on the Monday of that week and end no earlier than the 12th November each year (13th being the first work/school day)
From the 9th to the 11th of November each year, Britain will pause. Only hospitals, emergency services, and essential infrastructure will remain operational. Roads, airports, railways, and commercial enterprises will fall silent. The nation will stop — not for politics, not for profit, but for remembrance.
For those three days, the United Kingdom will stand as one people — honouring the fallen and remembering that freedom is never free — culminating in the traditional ceremonies at 11:00 hrs on the 11th of November each year.
These ceremonies must remain apolitical, areligious, and acultural. People from every political belief, faith, and cultural background gave their lives for our freedoms, and there must be no division in commemorating that sacrifice.
From midnight on the 11th of November, the nation may awaken and continue as normal — united, reflective, and grateful.