The Tower of London on Armistice Day

On Armistice Day, I was determined to visit the Tower of London, where 888,246 ceramic poppies had been planted by very many important people we mustn’t ever forget. The sight of all those poppies, collectively forming a giant sea of red was overwhelming. It was late in the evening when I got to Tower Hill tube station, and I was blown away how many people got off from my tube train – all very keen to make their way to see them too. Despite the rain, it was fully packed at the Tower of London – so much so that some people chose to stand on the walls from a distance, just to get a view. Britons from all over the country made their way down. I saw men and women in wheelchairs and crutches. Clearly it meant a lot to them to be there and my entire experience there made me feel proud to be a Briton. It was an emotional experience and one I will never forget.

One of the very special things we take for granted in this country is the freedom we have. I always say that life is a lottery because it really is, as we do not get to choose when and where in the world we are born, and I am extremely thankful to have been born in this country, in London. It is a country that fully respects all major religions, people of all race, nationality, gender and does not discriminate against sexuality. Our soldiers fought and gave their lives to protect us and our way of life. 888,246 of them died during World War One alone. I am, and always will be, forever indebted to all those brave men and women who fought to give me and everyone else in this country a much better life.