British war volunteers granted Spanish citizenship
By Ian Dunt
Spain will put one of the most painful moments in its history behind it today when it grants honorary passports to the British men who fought against fascism in the country’s civil war.
The award could not come at a more symbolic time, as the UK still reels from electing two British National party (BNP) MEPs to the European parliament.
It is the 70th anniversary of the end of the war today, while celebrations marking the D-Day landing over the weekend have now become ironic reminders of Britain’s past contact with fascism.
“The news of the election of far-right MEPs comes at a time when we mark the 65th anniversary of D-Day, celebrating the heroism of those who fought the same hatred and fascism and racism we are witnessing today,” said Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari, secretary-general of the Muslim Council of Britain.
But today Britons will celebrate a prouder moment in their history, as six British and Irish men and women who volunteered to fight against Franco’s fascist rebellion are honoured by Spain.
Carles Casajuana, Spain’s ambassador to the UK, called the decision of British men and women to help defend the republic against fascism an “enormous act of generosity”.
“It should have been done earlier, but better late than never,” he said.
“They came to Spain to fight against fascism and they gave up their comfortable lives here to go to a foreign land because of their ideals.”
Marlene Fidaway, of the International Brigades Memorial Trust, told politics.co.uk the memory of British participation in the civil war could help stem the flow of support to the BNP.
“[The election of the two BNP MEPs] is very tragic,” she said.
“It might be because people don’t know the history of it all. If they knew the threat of fascism, and how easy it was to elect Hitler, people may be more cautious. The fight against fascism continues to this day.”
But Rainer Schulze, head of history at Essex University, warned against drawing too strong a comparison between yesterday’s struggle and today’s BNP.
“Fascism was alive and well in Britain at the time,” he told politics.co.uk.
“The change is the visibility of the BNP’s success, but there is always a residue of fascist sympathy. If you think of the fascist marches through east London, yes there were protests, but then there were protests against the BNP on Sunday.”
Two veterans of the International Brigades, Jack Jones and Bob Doyle, died this year before the ceremony took place.
