And they called it poppy love.... The contestation and politicisation of the Royal British Legion’s Red Poppy

The red poppy is Britain’s ubiquitous symbol of remembrance and has been for over a hundred years. Since its inception, it has been passed down through generations as an inherent cultural and social symbol commemorating British military personnel. Beginning in World War I, the red poppy has transcended to become a symbol encompassing all British conflicts. All the while, maintaining the narratives instilled from World War I. Despite the red poppy’s symbolic expansion, it has remained a profoundly popular symbol in British society, falsely characterising it as apolitical. The red poppy’s commemoration and linkage with British militarism since 1921 has seen it come to commemorate colonial, decolonial, and postcolonial conflicts. This thesis’s research will analyse the journey of the red poppy from its first major contestation until its contemporary introduction and inculcation in the English Premier League. I will argue that from 1933, the white poppy has become increasingly politicised, analysing themes that have become attached to the poppy through its symbolic expansion to all British military conflicts. This thesis will explore who and why individuals and groups are excluded from its symbolism. In addition, the subsequent politicisation caused by this has plagued the poppy's seemingly innocent symbolism. The causes and effects of introducing the red poppy into British football in 2008 represent a seismic shift indicating the veracious political nature of the poppy. Not only this but through the statements of two Premier League footballers, the poppy’s political undertones can be assessed through each player's reasoning not to sport a poppy. Their experiences, reasoning, and backlash for their decision denote the red poppy as a profound symbol in British cultural heritage but also inherently political from its inception. This thesis will unpack this contemporary culmination of the poppy’s politicisation as the poppy moves away from its commemorative purpose onto a problematic road of national, exceptionalist, identity politics.