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Public Landmarks Review
18 March 2021
Lead MP
Gareth Bacon
Debate Type
Adjournment Debate
Tags
HousingCulture, Media & Sport
Other Contributors: 2
At a Glance
Gareth Bacon raised concerns about public landmarks review in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
Britain's heritage is under attack from a left-wing, anti-British rhetoric spreading through social media. This ideology seeks to rewrite British history and undermine the reputations of historical figures like Nelson and Churchill by focusing solely on their negative aspects without acknowledging their positive contributions. The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has established a commission for diversity in public realms that aims to change names of roads and remove statues, which is seen as an attempt to rewrite British history. There are concerns about the lack of impartiality in the commission's membership and its impact on historical understanding.
John Hayes
Con
South Holland and The Deepings
Left-wing zealots seek to cancel our nation’s heroes by rewriting history, dividing society into exclusionary social tribes, and deriding colonial history. It is the duty of MPs to commemorate those who have been awarded high honours such as the Victoria Cross.
Tom Hunt
Con
Ipswich
Churchill's legacy should not be questioned or redefined, and it is unfortunate that some are attempting to do so. The Labour party's stance on protecting war memorials and statues is unhelpful.
Government Response
The Government recognises the importance of protecting Britain’s history, traditions, and heritage. It supports retaining and explaining public monuments rather than removing them. The Mayor of London's commission for diversity in the public realm is concerning due to its composition and potential agenda of dismantling historical landmarks. The Minister has written to the Mayor about this issue but awaits a response. He emphasises that any proposed removal of historic statues should be subject to planning permission or listed building consent. The Government will protect our national heritage from those who seek to remove or deface it, ensuring communities have a say in such matters.
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About House of Commons Debates
House of Commons debates take place in the main chamber of the House of Commons. These debates cover a wide range of topics including government policy, legislation, and current affairs. MPs from all parties can participate, question ministers, and hold the government accountable for its decisions.