North Northumberland MP David Smith is leading a campaign to build a statue of beloved broadcaster Sir David Attenborough. Mr Smith, who is working on the campaign alongside Paisley and Renfrewshire South MP Johanna Baxter, said the naturalist had made an 'irreplaceable contribution' to the country.
Sir David, who celebrated his 100th birthday earlier this year, has previously stepped forward to champion the £30 million appeal from the Wildlife Trusts to purchase the Rothbury Estate. The estate, which is being sold off by Lord Max Percy, the son of the Duke of Northumberland, is in Mr Smith's constituency.
Speaking in a Westminster Hall debate, Mr Smith said: "The UK has a long tradition and a long history of recognising those who make a great contribution to public life. There are 12 statues in Parliament Square of some outstanding people who have made massive contributions to our national life, like Millicent Fawcett with the Suffragettes, Winston Churchill, and Nelson Mandela.
"I believe that Sir David Attenborough fits within that bracket. In his centenary year, we should be thinking, 'How do we honour and recognise that?'
"He has made an unbelievable, perhaps irreplaceable contribution to the way we think about animals and the natural world. He has given us a greater understanding—one that we did not have before. As I say, he is irreplaceable."
Sir David has encouraged us all to play our part in stewarding the natural environment. In my constituency of North Northumberland, for example, there are estates run by the Northumberland Wildlife Trust, which is creating one of England’s largest areas for nature.
"I encourage people to get behind the trust’s campaign, for which it is fundraising right now. I urge everyone across the House and across society, including the Government, to get behind this campaign to ensure that ultimately we can create a lasting and permanent memorial to Sir David Attenborough as our national treasure."
The Government's Culture Minister has said that while it would support the proposals, it would not fund any monument. A petition calling for a statue of Sir David has been signed by almost 90,000 people.
