Council 'wokery' claims after volunteers told to pay £1k for Remembrance parade

Local council officials have been accused of "extreme wokery" after organisers of a Remembrance Sunday parade were told they needed to spend £1,000 on a safety escort. Organisers said the parade in the villages of Billington and Langho, Lancashire, was scheduled to take place in 2024, using the same volunteers they had proposed to use this year.

Ribble Valley Borough Council stated that it could not authorise the event following a decision by its Safety Advisory Group (SAG). Organisers said their application for volunteer safety measures was rejected due to a technical issue with the certificate. In a post on Facebook, they said: "Last year we had a parade, it was safe, well-led and managed by a team of volunteers dedicated to honouring the brave men, women and animals that lost their lives whilst securing the futures of millions of people. Ensuring we and our families can live in freedom with democracy and opportunity for all.

"Our road closure was managed by a company with 53 years of experience in road haulage/ escort and road closure management, and I'm sure you all agree - they did a sterling job of maintaining safety, reducing traffic congestion and ensuring the parade went ahead without any glitches. Furthermore, they offered their services FREE OF CHARGE.

"Eventually, with not many weeks to go, we had our application turned down because our company, with 53 years of evidence, successes and experience, did not possess a certificate. This company ran the event the year before!!

"It is very sad times when a 'certificate' means more than experience, evidence and reputation."

The organisers explained they had "no choice" but to spend £1,000 on a different traffic management company to ensure the parade goes ahead.

They said to pay for the fee, they've had to use up all the money raised for the event for the next two years.

"It is a travesty," they added.

Conservative councillor Tony Austin, who is involved in the event, criticised the decision, which he described as "extreme wokery".

Speaking to LancsLive, he said he suspects the car crash incident at Liverpool FC's title parade in May could be one influence behind the decision.

He added: "It sticks in everyone's throat that others can conduct large demonstrations in big cities about Gaza, without hindrance, despite official displeasure. Remember last year's demonstration in London during the Remembrance Parade in Whitehall? This is extreme 'wokery'."

A Ribble Valley Council spokesperson said: "Our top priority is to ensure the safety of everyone taking part in this event. The council's safety advisory group can only advise on public safety issues. It works closely with partners such as the police, fire and ambulance services, and Lancashire County Council to make recommendations, where appropriate, to event organisers.

"Tighter rules have been introduced nationally to improve the safety of those attending public events, especially on the highway network.

"The safety group has advised organisers of the Billington remembrance parade that they need to have a traffic management plan in place for a temporary road closure, to protect those attending the event. Organisers of other similar remembrance events in the borough have put such traffic management arrangements in place."