Leeds statues review: Council denies MP Andrea Jenkyns' claim that history will be 'erased'

An MP's claim that a review of all statues across Leeds will lead to history being "erased" has been strongly denied.
Morley and Outwood MP Andrea Jenkyns (top right), claimed the review into Leeds' historical monuments is a waste of public money. 
Council leader Judith Blake (bottom right), says it's a necessary process for the city.Morley and Outwood MP Andrea Jenkyns (top right), claimed the review into Leeds' historical monuments is a waste of public money. 
Council leader Judith Blake (bottom right), says it's a necessary process for the city.
Morley and Outwood MP Andrea Jenkyns (top right), claimed the review into Leeds' historical monuments is a waste of public money. Council leader Judith Blake (bottom right), says it's a necessary process for the city.

The move was attacked on Twitter by Morley and Outwood MP Andrea Jenkyns, who claimed the review amounted to "appeasing" the vandalism.

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Criticising it as a waste of taxpayer's money, Conservative Ms Jenkyns, tweeted: "You cannot erase history, only learn the lessons from it."

The graffiti was found daubed on the statue on Tuesday.The graffiti was found daubed on the statue on Tuesday.
The graffiti was found daubed on the statue on Tuesday.

At a press briefing on Wednesday, the Labour-run council's leader Judith Blake condemned the graffiti, but said big changes were needed in how Britain's past is currently taught.

Councillor Blake said: "There's absolutely no attempt to erase history here. History has to be the most important measures of where we are and what we're doing.

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"But I have to say that many people working in our education system recognise that the curriculum, as it stands, doesn't teach history as it was.

"There is, I'm sad to say, a real lack of understanding about Britain's place in the world and the impact of colonialism on where we stand today.

"This review is a win-win for us, I think."

The council also said it is in a positive dialogue with campaign groups over further Black Lives Matter demonstrations, following one outside the Town Hall last Saturday.

Concerns have been raised that some of the marches seen across the UK over the weekend did not adhere to social distancing guidelines.

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But James Rogers, the authority's director for communities, added: "We've got lots of experience of facilitating and supporting peaceful protests.

"There are challenges at the moment in terms of the COVID 19 pandemic, but we continue to work very closely with oranisers of protests, making sure that they're done appropriately and recognise the values and ethos we have in this city."

Local Democracy Reporting Service