Member's statement: Royal British Legion Poppy Sellers
Member's statement by Mr David Brooks on .
- MLA
- Mr David Brooks
- Party at the time
- Democratic Unionist Party
- Date
- 12 November 2024
- Type
- Member's statement
- Business
- Members' Statements
- Heading
- Royal British Legion Poppy Sellers
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 4658233
Read the official Assembly record
Text
Recently, we have had a number of remembrance-related motions, but, as the traditional period of remembrance draws to a close, I recognise and express our sincere gratitude to the Royal British Legion (RBL) poppy sellers, who serve as the heart and hands of remembrance. Their dedication, whether on rainy streets or in supermarkets or petrol stations or at organised events, keeps the memory of our veterans alive. Every poppy is a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who served, as well as a commitment to maintaining the support for those affected by their wounds from conflict through the donations received. It is no small task to volunteer your time and energy, but the impact can be immeasurable. Poppy sales help to fund vital services, providing comfort and care to support veterans, their families and their communities. By doing so, we make sure that we do not just remember in passing but actively contribute to their well-being. This year, we had a small glimpse of that work, as our East Belfast DUP constituency association undertook to man a stand at one of our local supermarkets last weekend. We did so for all of the reasons mentioned in remembrance of the fallen. It was also a way to remember one of our own number who sadly passed away earlier this year.
Aileen Graham BEM was a former Belfast city councillor and a proud UDR veteran. Anyone who knew Aileen will have known that one of her passions was the veterans community and that she volunteered as a poppy seller faithfully each year with members of her RBL branch. As we remembered our fallen servicemen and servicewomen this year, Aileen, too, was in our thoughts. Aileen's dedication was not unique, however. It is seen in many veterans and volunteers across Northern Ireland and the UK. To every poppy seller, we offer our heartfelt thanks. Thank you for being there, carrying the torch for this most universally British of traditions and reminding us all of the importance of remembrance of, and compassion towards, those who have served us.
345 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Assessment
Jev’s structured answers met the documented threshold for “not flagged”.
- Overall probability that the activity is being used to promote, exploit or escalate an identity-based controversy: 0.04 (flagging needs at least 0.70; at or below 0.30 is not flagged).
- None of the five culture-war criteria was met (each was below 0.60).
- No identity-based framing was identified (0.98).
- Subject area: Legacy of the Troubles, victims and paramilitarism.
- The overall probability was at or below the not-flagging threshold.
This is an AI-generated assessment of the text, made against published criteria. It is not a finding of fact about the MLA or their intentions. The Assembly record itself is the fact.
Jev’s structured answers
| Question | Probability | Met? |
|---|---|---|
| Identity framing | 0.05 | No |
| Sectarian or communal antagonism | 0.01 | No |
| Cultural grievance politics | 0.04 | No |
| Dog-whistle messaging | 0.02 | No |
| Controversy escalation | 0.04 | No |
| Legitimate policy scrutiny | 0.05 | No |
| Overall judgement | 0.04 | At or below not-flagging threshold |
| Option | Probability |
|---|---|
| No identity-based framing (chosen) | 0.98 |
| Reports or questions it | 0.00 |
| Criticises or condemns it | 0.00 |
| Adopts it | 0.02 |
| Subject | Probability |
|---|---|
| Legacy of the Troubles, victims and paramilitarism | 0.35 |
| Flags, emblems, symbols, names and memorials | 0.30 |
| Parades, bonfires and commemorations | 0.20 |
| Another identity-related subject | 0.10 |
| No identity-related subject | 0.04 |
Assessed 21 October 2026 at 11:32 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.
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