George Finch, the George Finch Warwickshire Council leader, said Warwickshire County Council staff should resist the temptation to “celebrate everything” in the authority’s name, including Black History Month. He said taxpayer-funded libraries and public buildings should stay “politically neutral” while the council reviews promotional activity across those spaces.
Warwickshire County Council review
The review covers promotional activities in Warwickshire libraries and public buildings and is meant to make them politically impartial, family-friendly, age-appropriate and trusted by all residents. Finch said he was speaking last week about the process, after saying he did not agree with a Black History Month stand and that he did not see Jewish history month.
He also said books that should not be for reading by children should be placed in an adult section or at the back, not displayed at the front at children’s height in Kenilworth library and Rugby library. “I don't think it is appropriate for children to read books like that,” he said.
In June backlash
The review follows Finch’s June statement alleging that Warwickshire libraries were promoting “contested gender ideology.” That June statement drew a 50-strong protest outside Shire Hall, and Finch said he knew what this was going to look like.
Finch said he and Councillor Mike Bannister raised verbal concerns from members of the public about displays during Pride month. He added: “There was no co-ordination at all.” He also said other Reform-led councils have pursued a similar path.
Black History Month and Warwickshire
Finch tied his argument to what he described as a wider issue in public institutions, saying: “It is not just about libraries, it is about the education system as a whole and schools in particular.” He said: “It is a taxpayer-funded building, it should be neutral.”
On Black History Month and other month-based displays, Finch said: “I don't agree with a Black History Month stand because history is history, you shouldn't (limit) black history to just one month – that's wrong.” He added: “I don't see Jewish history month.” For readers using Warwickshire libraries now, the practical issue is that the council’s review will decide whether those promotional displays stay in place or are changed; Finch’s comments set the standard being tested, but not the outcome.
