Black Lives Matter: Penarth road names and statues might be changed in "inclusivity" review

By Alex Jones

28th Oct 2020 | Local News

The Vale of Glamorgan Council will next week decide whether the county's statues, monuments, road names and building names should be placed under review in the wake of this year's Black Lives Matter Protests.

In an agenda item for the 2 November cabinet meeting, it is proposed that commemorations of controversial historical figures and events should be appraised (and possibly changed) to ensure "they are representative of local people's values and those of a modern, inclusive council."

The proposal states the Black Lives Matter protests - which saw the toppling of slave trader Edward Colston's Bristol statue - "rightly prompted people to consider the appropriateness of commemoration or acknowledgment of people and events from history and their relevance to today."

It recommends that Penarth Town Council and residents suggest commemorations that should be placed under review.

A panel will then determine whether that commemoration should be changed. It will be comprised of:

- Neil Moore, Leader of the Council

- Lis Burnett, Deputy Leader of the Council

- The Council's Member Equality Champion

- The Council's LGBT Champion

- An officer from the Council's Strategic Leadership Team

- A representative from "local history societies"

- A representative from the Vale of Glamorgan Stand Up to Racism organisation.

Penarth is a town steeped in history, but it is currently unclear which commemorations will be placed under review or what criteria will be set for deciding whether they should be changed.

Many of the town's road names are linked to colonialism.

Robert Clive - after whom Clive Street is named - was the first British Governor of the Bengal Presidency and is credited with laying the foundation for the British Empire in India.

Some of his actions resulted in famine and the plundering of Indian treasures. Historian William Dalrymple called Clive an "unstable sociopath".

Nearby Plassey Street is named after the Battle of Plassey, which saw the East India Company annex Bengal under Clive's leadership. Up to 500 Indians were killed or wounded.

The proposal is in line with First Minister Mark Drakeford's July announcement that a nationwide audit of controversial commemorations should take place.

Vale Conservative Councillor Vince Bailey has been critical of such proposals, saying:

"When you start removing statues you are beginning on a journey down a very slippery slope.

"The council are following the agenda of cultural extremists when they should be listening to the silent majority."

Vale of Glamorgan Council Leader Neil Moore has provided the following statement to Nub News:

"Under these proposals, all town and community councils, as well as members of the public, would be able to make representations for names to be reviewed.

"We know that there are very many people who have made positive contributions to the lives of others at local, national and international levels.

"We feel that the time is right to conduct a review and, as well as questioning if some street names and monuments are appropriate, give due recognition to others.

"As an organisation, we remain absolutely committed to the principle of equality regardless of race, age, gender, religion, disability or sexual orientation and will continue to tackle prejudice in all its forms."

Join Nub News for an update on 2 November.

     

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