Patrick Hayes, 11.01.2012

Political commentator for spiked

Do I support the Muslims Against Crusades (MAC) planned 'surprise' intended to disrupt the two minute silence on Armistice Day? No. Do I support their burning of poppies while chanting "British soldiers burn in hell"? No.

Emily Wight, 11.01.2012

Freelance journalist studying MA Newspaper Journalism at City University, London

Why has a mark of respect, a renunciation of death and a wish for peace, slipped into the realm of national identity, that which causes most of the dispute in the world? Accrediting the poppy with a national status has given ammunition to those who can't abide our country.

Scott Hill, 19.03.2012

Cumbria Campaigns Officer for the Liberal Democrats

Do not be fooled into thinking that just because you have a poppy pinned to your lapel it automatically makes you a better person; my bet is that the majority of poppy wearers do not spare a seconds thought for the armed forces outside of November.

Robert Lee, 10.01.2012

Head of Media and Campaigns for The Royal British Legion

The British way of remembrance is different to that of anywhere else. It is at once more high state ceremonial and yet more peculiar and intimate. There is nothing in the world to compare with the Festival of Remembrance, an event both regal and rococo which is extremely admirable and yet very odd. Held in the Royal Albert Hall with nearly the entire Royal Family in attendance, it is part church service, part military tattoo, and part entertainment.

Hannah Wallis, 27.12.2011

Opinionated. Twenty-something. Oblivious as to the whereabouts of my keys

It's impossible to know even a fraction of the personal stories, or the tales of individual acts of patriotism and valour that went on in those four horrendous years, and with the death of Harry Patch in 2009, the First World War has now all but passed out of living memory. But that doesn't mean that we can't be grateful for the collective, incalculable sacrifice that was made so that we've got freedom now.