Strayside Sunday is our weekly political column written by Paul Baverstock, former Director of Communications for the Conservative Party. 

Yesterday was ‘Super Saturday’. 101 days since lockdown, the nation is emerging from the social constraints and restrictions of pandemic into what I hope will blossom into newly respected and cherished freedoms, rather than revert to the taken-for-granted entitlements we had allowed to develop pre-crisis.  Many too hope that yesterday’s grand opening will herald the dawn of what economists call a “V-shaped” recovery, one in which the financial markets, business wealth and personal incomes rebound swiftly to pre-pandemic levels.  But should we wish for an old, rather than a new normal?

During the early days and weeks of lockdown, for those of us fortunate enough to possess a garden or other outside space, could not fail to notice the nature that filled the space we and our noisy humanity had vacated.  Birdsong never sounded so good.  Now, even approaching Independence Day, traffic noise and the hustle and bustle of life are coming back and nature is in visible retreat.  I fear we have not heeded Mother Nature’s warning and that we will revert to environmentally disastrous type.

With luck, Boris Johnson’s cry of “Build, build, build” will let loose a new, green and historically respectful economy. One in which the streamlined planning laws the Prime Minister promises, create thriving high streets and town centres, mixed and affordable residential and business use property, local shops and eateries stocked with local produce, with attention paid to making our world-beating heritage work for the public good of all.  I’m not wholly optimistic; a planned £6,000 scrappage scheme to encourage us to buy electric cars has already been, well, scrapped; and a bicycling revolution has been announced, but little evidence of the pedalling republic has yet been seen.

Meanwhile, our leaders here in Harrogate are, in a special edition of “Residents’ News,” signposting a move away from a posture of Covid response, towards one of recovery.  This is welcome, as is the news that the borough council does not face an immediate threat of bankruptcy.  It’s clear too that the council understand how much effort it will take to reboot our town centres across the district.  Indeed, the council has received cash from the European Union (remember them?) Development Fund and will be using it, they tell us, to run a campaign promoting our high streets.  This is great news and the perfect opportunity to bring activist voices together, to create a recovery campaign with the full and engaged support of those it seeks to serve, and to build the ‘Town Teams’ that the council needs, both for their fresh ideas and for their undeniable industry.  We look forward to hearing the detail soon…

In last week’s column, I discussed the recent racist Facebook posts of Darley parish councillor Ernest Butler.  In so doing I expressed my opinion that public representatives (whether they are elected or co-opted into their position, as Mr. Butler was into his) are always on duty and, as such, should always be held to account for any and all views they express on social media, or indeed anywhere else.

My column prompted corrective email correspondence from Harrogate Borough Council Leader Richard Cooper.  In order to respect Mr. Cooper’s express wishes I will not quote here the contents of his email, save to say that he was not impressed by my column, in which I accused the council of “washing their hands” of the Ernest Butler affair.  In fact, the council’s code of conduct does not apply to social media comments made by councillors “in a personal capacity.” My piece suggested otherwise and I am happy to clarify that the council felt their hands, rather than being washed, were tied.

However, in his latest and much reported bigoted outburst, that historian David Starkey was not speaking, at or on behalf of Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, did not stop them stripping him of his honourary fellowship.  Nor did it stop Harper Collins refusing, henceforth, to publish his history books.  Starkey has been so unceremoniously given the boot, precisely because his employers know that public opinion is a blunt instrument and makes no distinction between what we say in a private capacity and what we say in public.  In short, if you are a public figure, no matter how obscure, you simply don’t have the luxury of sharing abhorrent views.

Nonetheless, my opinion – and it is just my opinion – remains that it is always the role of our political leaders to call out any racism on their patch, when they become aware of it, whether they choose to do so comfortably, within the narrow confines of written procedure, or on the basis of their implied moral authority; sought freely through public election.

As I hope to continue to write opinion about the council and local politics for our growing Stray Ferret readership, and given I believe in dialogue, on Wednesday I wrote to Councillor Cooper directly to ask him whether he would like to meet, have the opportunity to share his vision for the district and to have a no doubt robust exchange of views.  At time of going to press my email to him has yet to be acknowledged.  I look forward to a response.

That’s my Strayside Sunday.

Strayside Sunday is our weekly political column written by Paul Baverstock, former Director of Communication for the Conservative Party

This week, two politicians, one an obscure local parish councillor, the other a Labour MP of some note, have both fallen foul of unwise activity on social media.  The very ‘White British’ Harrogate district parish councillor Ernest Butler took to Facebook to claim that (sigh) “White Lives Matter” and, to boot, that Jonny Foreigner is taking over.  Meanwhile, Rebecca Long-Bailey MP couldn’t resist attaching herself to the celebrity twitter coattails of actress and activist Maxine Peake, when retweeting the antisemitic claim that Israeli arrest methods caused the death of George Floyd.

Following multiple complaints from the public about the content of his statements, an unrepentant Mr. Butler has been suspended from work by his employers, Nidd Hall, while Ms. Long-Bailey’s unwillingness to take down her retweet gave Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer the excuse he needed to rid his Shadow Cabinet of a leading and unreformed Corbynista.

Ms. Long-Bailey is a professional politician, working under the constant scrutiny of the British political media, and should know better.  In fact, I believe she does know better, and that she provoked a deliberate stand-off with Sir Keir in order to cement her position as Momentum’s torch bearer.  But to have done so with two such incendiary topics as Mossad and the murder of George Floyd demonstrates a deeply troubling triumph of ambition over reason.

Ernest Butler doesn’t know any better.  He is an amateur politician, bustling around Darley’s rather lovely parish, trying sincerely to do his bit for his community.  No one questions that.  His ignorance of the evil ways of social media (once you publish your views they exist on a global media platform and can never be taken back) is not a sin and should be forgiven, especially of someone not born into the generation of so-called ‘digital natives’.  However, ignorance of the current cultural context in which you make your rather fruity views known when using social media deserves less charity; the views Mr. Butler expressed are wrong.

Harrogate Council too has received complaints about Mr. Butler’s views, but has washed its hands of the affair, notwithstanding that its own code of conduct (to which, as a district councillor, Mr. Butler is subject) makes it entirely plain that, to paraphrase, you don’t get to publish your views in a purely personal capacity on social media.  And that has to be right, doesn’t it?  The very reason these pages have covered this story this week is because Mr. Butler is a Councillor, and therefore a representative of the Council.  As such he is not free to publish his views absent of Council oversight and censure.  One might have thought that, at the very least, the council would have taken the opportunity of Mr. Butler’s indiscretion to voice it’s support for a world in which Black Lives Matter, even here in Harrogate.  True to form, the council said nothing, and did nothing.  It pains me to say that Labour’s Sir Keir has this week shown our own Richard Cooper what real leadership looks like.

This is difficult and sensitive territory I know. Surely a right to free speech is part of what defines our democracy and our society?  For my part I believe in a public discourse that celebrates a person who, in the brilliant words of screenwriter Aaron Sorkin, “would advocate at the top of their lungs that which I had spent a lifetime opposing at the top of mine.” I believe in passionate arguments well-made. But I don’t get to decide. And neither, individually, do you.  It’s too late for that.

In order to support a business model based on targeted advertising, we have allowed companies like Facebook and Twitter to beg ‘platform,’ rather than publisher status.  If they had been subject to the rules traditional news and content publishers comply with we may not have seen the hate-filled, mudslinging, tear it down, free-for-all that such social media platforms enable.

In reaction, a new tyranny has taken hold, one in which social media is a megaphone to rally like-minded support and to shout down the targets of ire.  It gives expression to an ugly need to condemn, to shame, to bully and it gives an outlet to the primary school playground impulse to “all pile on.”  Worst of all it is reductionist and intellectually lazy. If you can’t hashtag it then it’s not worth saying.  Social media offers no space or inclination to inform and educate those who, like Councillor Ernest Butler, sometimes get things wrong.

Social media is but one area of contemporary life where personal responsibility is now at a premium.  This week the Great British Public has reacted to the easing of lockdown measures with wanton abandon. From the packed beaches of Bournemouth to the packed green spaces of Harrogate’s Stray, we have seen a total disregard for social distancing guidelines as lovely weather and the frustrations of lockdown seem to have overwhelmed any sense of self-control;  Dorset and North Yorkshire Police both have complained of large and rowdy gatherings of people drinking, drugging, littering and using common outdoor space as a toilet.

Boris Johnson’s strand of conservatism places personal responsibility at its core.  He believes that the right to freedom (speech and otherwise) is balanced by the responsibilities of individual citizenship.  It has been the compass he has used to guide his decision-making during the coronavirus crisis; so, when possible, Boris has chosen the path of least restriction and asked, rather than required people to change their behaviour.  This worked well initially.  However, it seems increasingly clear to me that, whether on Twitter or on the Stray, we can’t be trusted to behave.

That’s my Strayside Sunday.

Read More: 

• Stray in disarray:  “Biggest mess for years” 
• Parish councillor defends “White Lives Matter” post

A Harrogate district parish councillor has defended his comments online where he called for a “White Lives Matter” protest.

Cllr Ernest Butler also suggested that people moving to the UK are “taking over” on his Facebook page.

The councillor said people migrating to the country are deleting its history, telling people how to live, what jobs they take and what religions to preach.

His comments sparked much controversy with anti-racism campaigners who took them to his employers.

Read more:

• See what happened at the second Black Lives Matter protest in Harrogate
• When Newby Hall uncovered its links to the slave trade
• Why Yorkshire Tea went viral with its Black Lives Matter tweet

Harrogate Borough Council has received several complaints but said that its code of conduct does not apply when councillors use social media in a personal capacity.

But the council’s code of conduct seems to directly contradict that stance:

“When a person has been elected as a Councillor they are never a member of the general public in relation to any matter before the Council. Although this means they lose certain privileges available to the general public that is the consequence of holding public office.”

Darley Parish Council’s clerk said he had no remit to deal with complaints but added that he was aware of the comments.

When The Stray Ferret approached Cllr Ernest Butler he was not apologetic about his comments and said he had not done anything wrong.

“I am not a racist person. What I said online is true, there are just people out there that disagree with me and want to bring me down. I just stick my head above the parapet and say what other people can’t. It’s not racist to say people from European countries are taking jobs here and driving down the wages.”

He added that he has been suspended from his job at Nidd Hall and that he is now facing an employment tribunal over his comments.

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered on the Stray today as part of a rally to support the Black Lives Matter movement.

Observing social distancing, with many also wearing masks, they spread across the top of Montpellier Hill to hear a series of speakers sharing their views and experiences.

Heavy showers as the event got under way did not deter audience, who were supported by car horns sounded by passing drivers. Speakers referenced everything from the history of slavery in the British Empire to what residents can do today to eliminate racism in the Harrogate district.

Organiser Josephine Caven told the crowd:

“The black voices and lives have been ignored for too long. And we have been silent too long. Our silence is violence on the black community, we cannot be complacent or silent any longer, because if we don’t be strong and listen and speak, it will be our neighbour, friend, relative that suffers.

“Now is the time to learn, speak and fight for change that will create true equality for the black community. We must be allies to this cause. Now being an ally won’t be easy, you have to admit your failings, have difficult conversations with yourself and others. We will also stand corrected and try really hard to eliminate the ingrained beliefs and biases we have within ourselves thanks to institutionalised racism that we all grow up and accept.

“But this learning curve will bring us all together with the love and respect we have for each other and we will stand united strong and never divided.”

Read more:

• Extinction Rebellion takes to two wheels on the streets of Harrogate
• Harrogate history: Does the town have a connection to slavery?

A small number of people had gathered separately by Harrogate’s war memorial, following attacks on statues commemorating historic figures associated with the slave trade and people who held racist views. However, the 45-minute demonstration by the Black Lives Matter supporters passed off peacefully, with police officers observing both groups from nearby.

It ended with applause and chants of “Black Lives Matter”. As supporters dispersed, Josephine told The Stray Ferret the atmosphere had been positive, with the rain adding weight to supporters’ determination to stand against racism.

Individuals and groups of family members joined the protests

A few people had gathered at Harrogate’s war memorial while the rally took place

Supporters had brought home-made banners for the demonstration

Protestors came out despite heavy rain at the start of the rally

Participants were largely observing social distancing between households

Supporters clapped and cheered as the protest ended.

Organisers are expecting a big crowd to turn up to a Black Lives Matter demonstration in Harrogate this weekend.

The demonstration starts on Saturday at 2pm on Montpellier Hill. They will advise people to keep their distance and speakers will talk about their experiences of racism.

Josephine Mary decided to set up the event in response to the death of George Floyd and because she felt like she had not done enough to stand up to racism.

It will be the second Black Lives Matter protest after people gathered to take a knee by the war memorial at the start of the month.

Read more:

• See what happened at the first Black Lives Matter protest in Harrogate
• When Newby Hall uncovered its links to the slave trade
• Why Yorkshire Tea went viral with its Black Lives Matter tweet

Since setting up the demonstration Josephine has been subject to a backlash. She said people are worried that there will be clashes with the far-right.

That’s something she does not see happening in Harrogate. North Yorkshire Police are aware of the demonstration and will be attending.

Ahead of the demonstration, Josephine Mary told The Stray Ferret:

“I still see some racist comments from people in Harrogate, they struggle to understand institutional racism and that’s part of why we are doing this. We have ignored for too long the violence and abuse BAME people suffer. We can’t be quiet anymore, this isn’t going away until racism stops.”

This History is written for The Stray Ferret by Harrogate historian, Malcolm Neesam:

The recent tragic circumstances which have initiated a somewhat frenzied public examination into the background of individuals who past generations with vastly different values to our own times decided to honour, have prompted me to consider how this might apply to Harrogate.

This, initially, may seem of dubious value, given that Harrogate’s great days of urbanisation and statue erection belonged to the west’s post-slavery decades of the mid and later nineteenth century. The great problem is one of degree. If Harrogate has never put up any statues to acknowledged slave owners, this is not to deny that in common with every other UK community, there will inevitably have been those of its citizens who benefited from the slave trade by indirect association. The innkeeper, who invested in a company known to profit from the Virginia tobacco trade; the doctor, who bought shares in a company trading in Jamaican sugar; the gentleman farmer who sat on the board of a cotton importation business without looking too closely into the conditions of those who produced that cotton.  Were we today to closely examine the basis on which some of our family fortunes were established, many would surely be discomforted.

Alexander Wedderburn, 1st Earl of Rosslyn

But perhaps there is one figure with a strong connection with Harrogate who might be scrutinised, and that is the man who gives his name to Wedderburn House, Wedderburn Road, and the Wedderburn estate in general. Alexander Wedderburn, M.P. (1733-1805) was an ambitious politician, who in 1771 became Solicitor General, later advancing to the positions of Attorney General, Chief Justice of Common Pleas, and, in 1793, Lord Chancellor, a post he held until 1801.

Wedderburn earned a place in history when he grilled Benjamin Franklin on his role during the unrest in the American colonies. His meteoric career earned him many enemies, and his friendship with David Garrick and Richard Brindsley Sheridan was evidence for his great interest and support for the theatre. Wedderburn’s titles included those of Baron Loughborough and first Earl of Rosslyn.

Read More:

• Newby Hall uncovers links to slave trade
• Harrogate History: VE Day – a day of rejoicing after the harsh years of war

In 1775, Wedderburn acquired lands south of what became the Stray, and after living at Woodlands House, he moved into Wedderburn House, it being widely believed to have been remodelled for him by the great Carr of York. Wedderburn’s decision to acquire a residence in Harrogate was partly because he travelled frequently between London and Edinburgh, and found the town ideally situated more or less half way between the two. It was also known that he was attracted to one of the actresses who appeared with Samuel Butler’s troop at Harrogate’s Church Square Theatre – now Mansfield House. In 1790, the sixteen year old Tryphosa Jane Wallis was described as “exquisitely fair, with expressive blue eyes, well controlled movements, a fine figure, and a voice of more sweetness than strength’ . Her talent was recognised by the Lord Chancellor of England, Alexander Wedderburn, also known as Lord Rosslyn, and his wife, who obtained relief from a medical complaint from the mineral waters of the neighbouring St. John’s Well. Years later, when Miss Wallis was a nationally celebrated actress, she interrupted her work at Covent Garden to visit Harrogate,  staying at Wedderburn House, although it is not known what Lady Loughborough thought about the visit!.

Wedderburn House on The Stray

Wedderburn’s wife, Charlotte, received such benefit from the waters of the St. John’s Well on Wetherby Road, that her husband, who then had the title of Baron Loughborough, paid for the rebuilding of the pump room, which is shown in the engraving of 1796, (main picture)  and which records Charlotte’s visit to the well. This was tenanted by William Westmorland, whose name may be seen above the door. Lady Loughborough’s retinue included a black page boy, who is depicted at far left.

Although this writer knows of no direct involvement by Alexander Wedderburn with the slave trade, it would be unrealistic to think that so powerful a man as the Lord Chancellor with his broad portfolio of business interests, did not occasionally benefit from the proceeds of this vile business.

Further research into this may prove revealing, if anyone has the wish to do it.

Malcolm Neesam:

Malcolm Neesam was born in Harrogate and graduated from the University of Leeds as a professional archivist and librarian. He subsequently worked in Hereford, Leeds, London and York where, for twenty-five years, he was North Yorkshire’s County Music and Audiovisual Librarian.  Malcolm is a much-published author. In 1996 Harrogate Borough Council awarded Malcolm the Freedom of the Borough for his services as the town’s historian.

Newby Hall has uncovered its connections to the slave trade, leading its current owners to say that we must “recognise, take serious note and learn” from the past.

It is the first time that the Compton family, who are current residents, have spoken publicly about Newby Hall’s links to slavery and follows in the footsteps of many stately homes in England.

The family made the announcement after The Stray Ferret pointed out that the Weddell family, of which the Compton family are direct descendants, invested in the South Sea Company.

Richard Compton has updated the history page on Newby Hall’s website to detail its connections to the slave trade and highlight its work with the BAME community.

“It is known that the South Sea Company had significant financial involvement with the slave trade. It is not known to what extent this contributed to Thomas Weddell’s wealth but we do know that what was acceptable in the 1700s is abhorrent now.

“Newby is a modern and inclusive business and we have supported the BAME community. There is lots more we can do and post-Covid we look forward to renewing our links. The past is something we cannot change. We need to recognise it, take serious note and learn.”

“BLM” has been left near the war memorial in Harrogate.

The Newby Hall revelation comes in the wake of George Floyd’s killing and a wave of protests around the world. The Black Lives Matter movement believes systemic racism dates back to the slave trade.

Read more on this story

• Meet the new Black Lives Matter group in Harrogate
• See what happened at the Black Lives Matter protest

What is the South Sea Company?

South Sea Company was a public-private corporation that supplied slaves to the islands in the “South Seas” and South America.

Some historians estimate that the company set out to transport just over 34,000 slaves but around 4,000 slaves died on the voyage.

Others found that investors ended up with substantial returns if they got out before the “South Sea Bubble” burst in 1720. Thomas Weddell was one of those investors.

Thomas Weddell was the great-uncle of William Weddell and left him with a legacy that Thomas used to buy Newby Hall.

No plans for a review into Harrogate’s past

This week, a statue of Queen Victoria in Leeds has been sprayed with graffiti relating referring to slavery and Leeds City Council has said it is reviewing its statues. However, Harrogate Borough Council said that it has no plans to launch such a review.

The Queen Victoria statue in central Harrogate

Many councils in England are reviewing their memorials after protesters in Bristol toppled the Edward Colston statue and dropped it in the harbour.

There has also been pressure on other authorities and organisations to remove statues of people with links to the slave trade, such as Cecil Rhodes, whose statue in Oxford has drawn criticism because of his links with imperialism and colonialism.

Harrogate Hospital’s chief executive has opened about how his staff have been subject to racist abuse at work, as well as his own experiences.

Steve Russell said examples of different treatments exist in the UK “and, if we are honest, here at [the hospital.]”

He made the announcement to colleagues on the day of George Floyd’s funeral.

The Harrogate NHSFT chief executive spoke about the different examples of treatment towards BAME staff.

Read more:

• How a Harrogate group set up a Black Lives Matter movement
• See what happened when Harrogate held its own silent protest

He said patients have refused treatment from BAME staff. Risk assessors have singled them out because “people like them live in crowded houses.” They have also been subject to criticism for spending time at work following religious pursuits, he added.

Steve Russell also opened up about his own experience of racism at the hospital and when he was younger:

“When my appointment was announced and my picture was shared some people ‘well, he doesn’t look like a Steve.’

“My dad being asked on a bus ‘where he got me from,’ being told in school that I should get back on my banana boat, and to this day I appear to regularly end up being one of the people randomly selected for a search at airports and events.”

Harrogate NHSFT’s board of directors has committed to stamping our racism and promoting equality at the trust.

The trust said it was taking action but added that “there is always more we can do.”

Steve added: “George’s murder has ignited a call for the end to racism and injustice across the world. If it is to be more than just a call, we have to look at ourselves, not at others. We are all part of the solution to end this. It is no longer good enough for us to be neutral in this. I want to clearly say that, here at HDFT, Black Lives Matter.”

Yorkshire Tea went viral last night with a Black Lives Matter (BLM) tweet after responding to a right-wing commentator.

Laura Towler said that she was “dead chuffed that Yorkshire Tea [had] not supported BLM.”

The brand, which is owned by Harrogate-based Bettys and Taylor Group, rebuked her:

“Please don’t buy our tea again.

“We’re taking some time to educate ourselves and plan proper action before we post. We stand against racism.”

Read more:

• How a Harrogate group set up a Black Lives Matter movement
• See what happened when Harrogate held its own silent protest

Other tea brands like PG Tips and Teapigs got involved with the row by showing #solidaritea with Yorkshire Tea.

PG Tips added: “If you are boycotting teas that stand against racism, you’re going to have to find two new tea brands now.”

Please don't buy our tea again.

We're taking some time to educate ourselves and plan proper action before we post. We stand against racism.
#BlackLivesMatter

— Yorkshire Tea (@YorkshireTea) June 8, 2020

So far, Yorkshire Tea’s response has been retweeted nearly 12,000 times with around 6,000 responses.

Many of the people responding praised the tea brands for its stance but some condemned them for “virtue signalling.”

Advocacy group Hope Not Hate has previously named Laura Towler, who is from Yorkshire, among a list of influential and “racist alt-right” YouTubers.

Members of the community showed their solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement this afternoon in Harrogate.

Unlike other protests seen around the world, in Harrogate it took the form of a five-minute silence, maintaining social distancing.

Individuals and families gathered near Harrogate’s war memorial at 3pm this afternoon. Once gathered, each took a knee and fell silent for five minutes from 3.15pm. The protest ended with applause at 3.30pm.

Organisers Bill Rigby and Shan Oakes said:

“We, the residents of the Harrogate district, want to express our great sadness at the murder of George Floyd, and our solidarity with black and other oppressed groups in communities worldwide.”

Dozens of home-made posters and banners were on display

Protestors spread along West Park after the area around the war memorial became full

Individuals and groups of family members joined the protests

People of all ages gathered to protest, kneeling in silence for five minutes