Black Lives Matter statement still causing flashpoints among Calderdale councillors

The statement, issued in July, saw Leader of Calderdale Council, Coun Tim Swift (Lab, Town) say the Black Lives Matter movement had the council’s support.

“As a council we stand united in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

“And we are not alone in this.

“Across our region, our country and across the globe we have seen support for this movement; our neighbouring local authorities, the business community and our sports community have backed this call for change.

“I am proud that Calderdale has always been a safe and welcoming place with many diverse and vibrant communities and we oppose any discrimination, hate speech or racially motivated activity,” said Coun Swift’s summer statement, which was criticised at the time by Conservative councillor Coun Sophie Whittaker (Con, Rastrick).

Coun Roger Taylor (Ind, Northowram and Shelf) raised the issue of the statement in the “questions to Cabinet members” section of this week’s full meeting of the council, and also criticised supportive remarks also made in the summer by the council’s Chief Executive Robin Tuddenham.

“I wasn’t asked for a vote in this and feel it’s a little bit rich to put out that the council supported Black Lives Matter,” said Coun Taylor.

Coun Taylor said he believed all lives mattered and deserved respect and protection and asked Coun Swift why he had said “the council” when a vote had never been taken on the issue.

Coun Swift said he made no apologies for the statement – at times the council needed to respond quickly to circumstances, the council should not be blind to discrimination and what Mr Tuddenham had set out was something local authorities needed to addess.

“People may disagree with that but I think the council was right to say what it did,” he said.

That seemed to be the end of the exchange, but Coun Roisin Cavanagh (Lab, Luddenden Foot) said she was shocked at an expression in support of Coun Taylor she claimed she heard

Coun Scott Benton (Con, Brighouse) make, as he was an MP – Coun Benton also represents Blackpool North in Parliament – and a councillor.

An angry Coun Benton responded: “I am not going to debate Black Lives Matter or Roger Taylor’s comments, please address me in writing to I can respond in full.”