Good Morning Britain presenters Adil Ray and Kate Garraway were left mortified live on air when a 100-year-old veteran declared winning World War II ‘wasn’t worth it’ due to the present state of the UK. Proudly wearing his medals Alec Penstone appeared on the show in advance of Remembrance Sunday on November 9 and told how he quit his factory job to sign up for the Royal Navy and fight for his country as soon as he was old enough. He emotionally recalled how many of his friends had lost their lives and described himself as “just a lucky one” for making it through.
However the moving segment took a turn when Kate asked him what Remembrance Sunday means to him. He said he felt that winning the war was “not worth” how the country had turned out today. “My message is, I can see in my mind’s eye those rows and rows of white stones and all the hundreds of my friends who gave their lives, for what? The country of today?” he said sadly.
“No, I’m sorry – but the sacrifice wasn’t worth the result of what it is now. What we fought for was our freedom, but now it’s a darn sight worse than when I fought for it.”
A visibly stunned Kate interjected with her apologies as she said: “Alec, I’m sorry you feel like that and I want you to know that all the generations that have come since, including me and my children, are so grateful for your bravery and all the other service personnel.
“It’s our job now to make it the country that you fought for, and we will do,” she promised him.
In response he said: “It’s so wonderful to know there are people like you who spread the word around to the younger generations.”
Viewers overwhelmingly agreed with his sentiment and flocked to X to comment on a clip of the chat posted by the show. “Well done Alec for saying how it is but as usual they try and cut him off with ‘oh sorry about that’ and talk over him and talk to him like a child,” one penned.
“Truly sad to see this wonderful brave man questioning what he and he fallen comrades fought for, he has been betrayed by spineless politicians of all colours. Thank you sir for what you and your comrades did for us but sadly I think you are correct,” another added.
A third observed: “That’s a heartbreaking indictment on the country you gave service to. And no more damming critique.”
Meanwhile a fourth chimed in: “He is absolutely correct. We have never lived through what he has and for those words to come from this hero’s heart is a damming testament to what our country has become. God bless him.”
