Reform council comes under fire for stirring division over Pride events
A local MP has said she is "deeply saddened and appalled" by the Reform council’s decision to remove Pride displays from local libraries
Reform-led St Helens Council has come under fire for “stirring division” after the council’s leader, George Woodward, announced earlier this week that his party would withdraw support for Pride.
However, as a local Labour MP, Marie Rimmer, pointed out, St Helens Council has never funded Pride celebrations.
She stated: “It appeared to be little more than an attempt to stir division and get engagement through identity politics.”
In a statement on Tuesday, Woodward said: “St Helens Borough Council won’t be supporting or promoting Pride. I have instructed officers to cease engagement with all aspects of the event.
“We don’t consider celebrations of sexuality, especially those with left-wing political leanings such as Pride, to be appropriate for St Helens Borough Council to dedicate valuable officer resources.”
He added: “Individuals, the private sector, and charities are welcome to continue to support the event as they deem appropriate.”
With LGBTQ History Month this month, the Reform council has also instructed all local libraries to take down displays promoting or funding anything relating to Pride.
Last week, the council also announced that it had pulled funding for refugee week events, and asked organisations supporting refugees to return funding they had received.
Rimmer said she was “deeply saddened and appalled” by the reports that Reform has instructed public libraries to remove Pride-themed book displays.
She said: “Libraries are not political spaces. They are places of learning and community. Pride-themed displays help people learn about the experiences of others, broaden understanding and gain compassion.
“I am extremely concerned about the impact this decision could have on LGBTQ+ people and subsequently other minority groups in our community, especially young people who may already feel isolated or excluded. I have seen this damage first hand in the past.
“We know that LGBTQ+ people continue to experience disproportionately high rates of poor mental health and suicide. Actions that make people feel less visible, less valued or less welcome can have real consequences.
“I therefore urge St Helens Council to clarify its position and, if these reports are accurate, to reverse this decision immediately.”
Olivia Barber is a reporter at Left Foot Forward
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