17/06/2026
Very concerning. Well done Hugh Ashtonfor putting the spotlight on this
More about Pride bans and Reform UK inconsistency:
Cllr Martin Murray recently wrote in a Facebook post:
Our new Staffordshire County Council Libraries Strategy 2026-2028 will focus on core services and will no longer use taxpayer-funded resources, sites and communications channels to promote any particular group, cause or identity. That applies consistently to every group and every cause. Your library services belong to everyone in Staffordshire equally. They are not there to promote or privilege particular groups, causes or identities, however well-intentioned.
However, yesterday in Lichfield library I was shown the attached notice.
It may be argued that a councillor surgery is an event to benefit all residents and therefore is not to be classed as promoting a particular group. However, this event is clearly designated as a Reform UK event, together with the logo of that particular political grouping.
Given Cllr Murray's interpretation of the Staffordshire County Council Libraries Strategy 2026-2028, this poses questions:
1. If the Strategy is currently in effect, Cllr Wallens is in breach of this official policy, and appropriate disciplinary action should be taken.
2. If the Strategy has yet to be ratified and put into effect, Cllr Murray's support for the banning of Pride publicity and materials, and the ban itself, are no more than personal prejudices put into action, with no official backing and have no legal standing.
Enquiring minds want to know which is the case. This question has been passed to SCC governance.
