Protest Planned Outside Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council Over Reform UK Policies

NorSCARF are urging residents to join a protest outside Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council as concerns grow over the authority's new political direction

Politics is often thought of as something that happens behind closed doors; inside council chambers or within parliamentary complexes.

Votes are cast. Motions are debated. Policies are approved or rejected.

But sometimes, the political conversation begins before councillors even take their seats.

On Wednesday evening, campaign group North Staffordshire Campaign Against Racism and Fascism (NorSCARF) is planning a protest outside Castle House ahead of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council's Full Council meeting.

The demonstration, due to begin at 6.45pm in Queens Gardens, comes as councillors prepare to debate a series of significant proposals under the borough's new Reform UK administration, including a motion to rescind the council's 2019 Climate Emergency declaration and the vote as to whether to adopt the local plan.

Promoting the event on social media, NorSCARF described the protest as an opportunity for people concerned about the direction of local government under Reform UK to make their voices heard.

Speaking to The Staffordshire Signal, the group said its concerns extend far beyond a single council meeting or decision.

"We are protesting because we are extremely concerned about the prospect of Reform UK winning more influence in local and national government. The policies of Reform UK have been of a far-right nature since the inception of the party and have become increasingly so as time has gone on."

Among the issues highlighted by the group are Reform UK's national immigration policies, proposals relating to asylum seekers and recent local decisions made by Reform-controlled authorities in Staffordshire.

NorSCARF argues that these policies would have significant consequences for communities across the country.

"Our protest is a public declaration that we disagree with these policies, and many more, and think they will have a negative impact upon society."

The group also points to a number of controversies involving Reform UK councillors in Staffordshire over the past year, referencing cases where councillors have resigned, been suspended or faced criticism over comments relating to race or migrants.

NorSCARF believes those incidents have shaped public perceptions of the party locally.

"Reform UK have allowed these people into their ranks and platformed them into positions of political power. We believe this is a dangerous precedent to set."

The organisation also expressed concern over the appointment of Council Leader Cllr Jonathan Gullis.

"The installation of Jonathan Gullis as leader of Newcastle council puts an individual who has made a political career out of platforming these divisive ideas into the spokesperson for a whole region within Staffordshire."

Environmental policy is another key focus of Wednesday's protest.

With councillors expected to vote on ending Newcastle-under-Lyme's Climate Emergency declaration, NorSCARF says it fears the decision could weaken the borough's response to climate change.

"We also believe that specific policies such as removing the commitment to make the Borough net-zero on climate emissions will directly contribute toward the degradation of our local environment."

The group also criticised recent proposals elsewhere in Staffordshire relating to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion initiatives and the removal of certain promotional materials from libraries, arguing these decisions risk marginalising minority communities.

For NorSCARF, however, Wednesday's demonstration is about more than opposing individual policies.

It says it wants to encourage greater public participation in local democracy.

"We want to achieve the outcome of ensuring a space is maintained for people to express their views and worries about far-right policies being put into practice."

The group says it hopes the protest will remind elected representatives that democratic participation does not end once votes have been counted.

"People don't just have to exercise their democratic rights during voting day once every few years; they can exercise their rights every day in a multitude of ways."

It also hopes the demonstration will encourage discussion about the future direction of local government.

"Our protest aims to bring some of those people together and create a sense that our unity of ideas can lead to expressing and mobilising opposition to what our councillors do."

Asked why members of the public should attend, the organisers pointed to the role protests have played throughout history in securing political and social change.

"Social cohesion and progress has never been achieved without joining in. From employment rights, to women's rights, to equality in law and environmental health and safety - this was all achieved by people protesting in various ways."

They concluded:

"When people come together we have a louder voice."

Wednesday's demonstration is expected to take place shortly before councillors enter the chamber for what is likely to be one of the most closely watched meetings since Reform UK took control of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council.

While it was not possible to provide Reform UK with appropriate notice before publication, The Staffordshire Signal will offer the party an opportunity to respond to the claims and opinions expressed by NorSCARF in a future article.