Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram has described the cancellation of Black History Month celebrations in St Helens by the Reform UK council leader as “the worst dog whistle politics.” Black History Month is observed every October and looks at the achievements, history and contributions of black people in the UK.
Reform Leader Confirms Policy Change
Last month, Cllr George Woodward, Reform leader of St Helens Council, took to his social media account to confirm the authority would no longer participate. The group won 34 of the 46 seats in a stunning victory during this summer’s local elections.
Asked for his take during a phone-in on BBC Radio Merseyside, Mayor Rotheram condemned the decision and said he didn’t understand the issue of “recognising the part that different cultures have played in the melting pot that is the UK population.” The Metro Mayor said how the experience of black people in British culture were “intrinsically linked.”
Council Leader's Statement
Announcing the change in policy, Cllr Woodward posted on his official account: "We don't care if you're black. We don't care if you're Asian.
"The only thing that matters is if you love our country and respect British culture. Moreover, it's not appropriate for celebrations to centre on one skin tone. To be frank, it's racist and divisive.
"Finally, it's a poor use of officer resources. Taxpayer's money shouldn't be contributing to subversive woke movements.
"Your council will always stand up for British culture and will make no apology for it."
Mayor's Response
Responding to the remarks, Mr Rotheram did not pull his punches.
He said: “I think it’s the worst dog whistle politics I desperately try to avoid. He says things about British as if we’re talking about black people and Britishness being separate.
“In the city region I represent, we are intrinsically linked. Then talking about white history, well we learned white history because the history books we read are written by white people, so you do need to get a broader perspective of what made Britain great and what made the Liverpool City Region such a diverse area and something we celebrate.
“If he said we were going to have a celebration in St Helens for Burns’ Night because he’s Scottish, I don’t think anybody would bat an eyelid at it. And we have a celebration quite rightly, on Remembrance Sunday, when we remember people, as you said Holocaust Memorial Day. I just don’t get it, what is the problem with recognising the part that different cultures have played in the melting pot that is the UK population?”
Labour Mayor Mr Rotheram, who counts Cllr Woodward among his Liverpool City Region Combined Authority cabinet members, set out while he may disagree with the decision, the Reform leader was responsible for his actions in the town. He added: “He’s the leader of St Helens Council, he was democratically elected and it’s up to him to decide on what’s best for that area.”
