'OUTRAGEOUS!' Taxpayer-funded group in advert 'promoting destruction of Nelson's column'
THE taxpayer-funded body in charge of preserving England's monuments has been accused of promoting the destruction of statues of British heroes. Historic England provoked fury with an advert for a debate on the future of statues such as Nelson's Column under the title "Revere or remove?"
It showed a gif - moving image - of a wrecking ball destroying the column in London's Trafalgar Square and referred to statues of heroes as "controversial".
Romford Tory MP Andrew Rosindell said: "It is completely shocking that a body paid for by the taxpayer to preserve and celebrate our heritage appears to be promoting its destruction.
"Historic England should not be trying to expunge Britain's heroes from history but help them be remembered for generations to come.
"The organisation appears to have been captured by a Left-wing politically correct agenda which hates Britain's past and the fantastic contribution that people like Nelson and others made to the world."
Historic England should not be trying to expunge Britain's heroes from history
Heritage minister Michael Ellis said: "Historic England receives taxpayers' money to protect and champion the nation's precious heritage and that is exactly what they must do. Our statues and historic buildings tell the stories of our past and they must be protected."
Tyranny The Historic England debate involves Left-wing commentator Afua Hirsch, who first called for Nelson's Column to be pulled down because she claimed he promoted slavery.
She wrote in an article: "Britain's best known naval hero used his seat in the House of Lords and his position of huge influence to perpetuate the tyranny, serial rape and exploitation organised by West Indian planters, some of whom he counted among his closest friends."
Her article followed a campaign to pull down a statue of Cecil Rhodes at Oriel College, Oxford, over his role in running Britain's southern African colonies.
Historic England said in a statement: "A gif we shared to promote a live debate we are supporting about England's statues showed a cartoon image of Nelson's Column being knocked down.
"This does not mean we are in favour of demolition of any monument. The debate is about how the nation responds to criticism of our public statues and monuments and what they are thought to represent.
"The gif was intended to get this across in a quick and memorable way but we know it has caused some concern so we won't be sharing it again.
"Debates like this are going on around the world."
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What should we do with controversial statues and memorials?
— Historic England (@HistoricEngland) April 15, 2018
Join the public debate with @Freedland @afuahirsch @peterfrankopan @DavidOlusoga @tiffanyjenkins @intelligence2 on Monday 14 May 2018 in London: https://t.co/KR9AGGNpzl#Immortalised pic.twitter.com/Z9NLSXEOBs
COMMENT - Roger Lane-Nott
It is absolutely outrageous that this is even considered a topic for discussion.
Let me make it clear that if there was any attempt to knock down Nelson's Column, I would be one of the first to chain myself to it.
History is not a matter of debate, it is fact. Good things have been done, and bad things.
We have to accept both but also realise that, as a country, we have done a lot more good than bad.
The example of Nelson is erroneous. The claim he supported slavery is flimsy as there is evidence he opposed it.
The historicity of accusations made against his memory last year is highly questionable.
There was a moment, years after Nelson's death, when one man claimed to have received a letter featuring his views.
However, other versions of the letter are different, and no other shows the lines attributed to Nelson purporting to be against abolition of the slave trade.
Nelson is seen as one of the greatest military leaders, not just in Britain but around the world.
He was voted one of the 10 greatest Britons.
It is worth noting that a statue of Nelson was blown up by the IRA, so it is clear those who wish to demolish his memorials want to attack British identity.
Any attempt to pull down Nelson's Column would be an insult to the Royal Navy, and we will continue to toast his memory on October 21st, the anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar.
I think it is outrageous that Historic England is holding this discussion.
Statues are part of the story of England - it should be working to preserve and celebrate that story.
There is much we should be proud of, and we should not try to expunge our history through this type of cultural vandalism. This is political correctness gone mad.