By EDDIE HARBINSON

PLANS to host an Armed Forces Day event in George Square would glamourise war.

That was the claim by Glasgow’s Green Party as members criticised proposals to bring a parade and fun day back to the city on June 30.

Tory and SNP councillors had called for Glasgow to commemorate Armed Forces Day despite the Ministry of Defence pulling funding for an event last year.

But Green councillors Martha Wardrop and Jon Molyneux insisted that focus should go towards raising awareness of the cost of war.

In a submission to councillors, Cllr Wardrop said: “Armed Forces Day has been observed in the UK since 2009, to commemorate the contribution, both past and present, of those who serve in our armed forces following widespread public opposition to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“Armed Forces Day is an event to promote the role of the armed forces, and this can give young people a glamourised image of war and armed force.

“The cost of war and recognition that war is not the solution to the problems we face in the twenty-first century.

“Wars lead to innocent civilian deaths, untold suffering, political instability on a global scale, lead to racism and can result in an attack on peoples’ civil liberties.”

Cllr Molyneux added: “I have never wanted to serve in the armed forces. I believe that non-violence is infinitely superior to violence.

“I could never support something which could potentially glorify war.

“My problem with armed forces day is that is offers unqualified, unchallenged support to the armed forces.”

Cllr Molyneux was branded as “ignorant” by Labour councillor Iain Gray, who spoke of his sorrow that his twin was unable to come to terms in what he faced while in the armed forces.

Their comments came after Conservative councillor Tony Curtis put forward a motion asking that members thanked the armed forces for protecting the nation.

Cllr Curtis added: “Events have taken place in recent years in Glasgow to celebrate Armed Forces Day but in recent years these have been scaled back due to funding changes.

“A working group should be set up involving this council, armed forces groups and other relevant participants to work to return an annual public event in celebration of Armed Forces Day to Glasgow and re-instate the parade and outdoor reception in George Square."

Tory councillor Euan Blockley added: “This city should do more to show our recognition of the job that they do.

“I agree that the MOD need to do more and I’m actually quite angry about that.”

In response, the SNP’s Bailie Malcolm Balfour, highlighted that Lord Provost Eva Bolander had continued to hold a civic reception for armed forces personnel to celebrate the event.

It was also confirmed that the Lord Provost made contact this week with Major General Robert Bruce, the Military and General Officer, Scotland, to try and get the MOD back on board with hosting the event.

A working group has also been set up involving three military figures and a veterans’ champion in a bid to mark this years Armed Forces Day.

That group is also considering a parade involving uniformed cadets and veterans if the MOD refuses to support the event this year.

Councillors agreed to back those plans.