UPDATE: See below for full statement from Camden
Camden Council have been accused of political discrimination and face legal action after performing a U-turn over a proposed “not the Royal Wedding” street party. Despite receiving approval on March 4 that their event could go ahead, republicans have now been informed the council have blocked the event by refusing to provide the temporary traffic order needed to close Earlham Street in Covent Garden.
With the decision was taken at the level of senior management, campaigners claim that the decision is “politically motivated”. The ban reportedly has the support of councillor Sue Vincent, Executive Member for the department. Spokesperson for Republic Graham Smith raged:
“This is a disgraceful attack on the rights of republicans to make their voice heard … We can only assume this is a politically motivated ban and we will challenge it all the way.”
And in a deliciously ironic twist, David Cameron has claimed that “petty bureaucracy” had been discouraging people from staging royal wedding parties on April 29. Writing in The Sun, he said:
“We have done our bit by ripping up red tape and many councils have done the same … Don’t interfere, don’t get in the way and don’t make problems where there are none.”
Does this principle not also apply to republicans?
UPDATE: Full statement from Camden Borough Council
The Council received an application to close Earlham Street from Republic, an organisation who wished to hold a “Not the Royal Wedding Street Party” on 29 April 2011.“While we know Republic to be a responsible organisation we are unaware of any local connection with between them and the location they have chosen. We also understand that a neighbouring Council have refused a similar request from Republic.
“While the event was widely publicised by Republic prior to permission being granted we consider all street closures on merit.
“An initial application was due to be refused following concern from the police as to how the event would be managed, and strong local objections, and the council entered into constructive dialogue with Republic. We requested that they provide us with an event management plan and engage with local residents and businesses to build support for such an event taking place in their community.
“During discussions with the community, significant concerns were raised around the potential for disorder and the impact of the event taking place. Many local businesses were opposed to the event taking place as it would directly contradict the Royal Wedding theme in terms of their merchandise.
“Taking into consideration the feeling of the local community the council have decided to refuse the application and Earlham Street will not be closed on 29 April 2011.”
10 Comments
“Taking into consideration the feeling of the local community”
So they actually asked the local residents what they though? Bollocks. Big, steaming, hairy donkey bollocks.
I hope they do take legal action and win. I’m sick of the one rule for one, one rule for another bullshit that councils seem to routinely get away with.
We have booked flights and hotel accommodation to come from the north of Scotland for this, to meet with family and friends. The council are coming out with an increasing level of drivel – any party should be ‘an act of celebration/oneness’ they say – so we’re only allowed to think ONE way are we? Establishment party wall-to-wall on your TV and down your throat or you’re banned from partying? And their claim that ‘it is very likely’ the event would not be supported by the majority of the community, well a recent poll said 79% couldn’t care less about the wedding and as for the rest of it we don’t know do we as we don’t get to vote on the monarchy? That is kind of the point and I for one have no belief whatsoever in the psychic abilities of Camden councillors. It’s an attempt by a small minority to suffocate the call for democracy and stifle the spirits of those on whom the brainwashing never took. Pathetic.
What a horrible unjust country we live in where the royals and aristocracy live be separate laws to the rest of us, and the earth is moved to avoid any of them knowing how we feel about them.
Oh well. Hopefully there will be plenty demonstrations in London about the bill for the enormous amount of security that will be required for this idiotic government induced “feelgood” promotion. (Did you notice that it comes on the day that many people will be getting their first pay packet with the new NI deductions and change in tax credits?)
David Cameron said about street parties – “I hope people are able to join in and celebrate and I am very much saying today that if people want to have a street party, don’t listen to people who say “it is all bureaucracy and health and safety and you cant do it.” It is very important to understand if anyone wants to have a street party you don’t need a food license, you don’t need an entertainment license, you don’t need to have written documents about closing your street, you don’t have to pay for street closures, you don’t have to have special health and safety permission because there are councils out there telling you you do need these things – you don’t.”
I hope Republic defies the ban then. Dave says it’s OK and so did the police and local businesses.
“well a recent poll said 79% couldn’t care less about the wedding ”
Given that you obviously care very much about it doesn’t that prove you’re in the minority?
Do I care about the wedding? Well I wopuld attend a “not the Royal Wedding” street party because it sounds fun. However I am really looking forward to the Royal Wedding. In fact, I have bought an official Royal Wedding Coin. Now is it me or does Harry look like he is scowling? The Daily Mail also picked up on this. I think he secretly doesn’t want to marry LoL. Take a look at the picture of it here:
http://www.presentsformen.co.uk/category.asp?cat_id=ROYALWED
I personally know of at least a dozen CAMDEN residents (3 living less than a 5 minute walk from Earlham st) who would welcome such a partyto express our opinion. Come on Republic defy this ban, Im coning spo are the others
Where’s Bob fucking Crow when you want him
I think you go ahead and have the party anyway. sod camden council !
This council can go ahead and cut Vital Public Service for the elderly, young and older children and also Vital Support Services for people with disabilities and parents.
But want us to celerbrate a bunch of silver spoon inbred ingrates celebrating srewing the rest of us for the rest of our lives.
It makes me sick to think that with everything going on right now, these rich idiots think we’re going to swallow them whole and think we’re going to except this act of cruel extravegance.
On the weekend I spent 2 days in an Acute Care Ward and the amount of elderly people there was eye opening. I was in a mixed age ward, if these rich ****e con-dems get their way we will all be in serious trouble.
THe money should be spent on The NHS not a poxy royal wedding !
DOWN WITH THE MONARCHY AND CAPITALISM !!
David Walter is right.
AND…will the media show exactly how many millions of us non-celebrated the event? Up here in Barnsley (Yorkshire) we watched Robin Hood (redressing the balance in a myth based way), walked up the Derwent Valley(being seasoned nature/country lovers), cleaned our homes (being house-proud), renovated gardens (being nurturers of flora and fauna), collected refuse (being binmen), wrote poetry (being published authors and poets), prayed for those suffering cancer, torture or life distress through unemployment, false imprisonment, health facilities and domestic abuse (being human beings)cleaned cars (being car-proud) etc…activities all devoid of fawning around pampered chinless inbred wanna-be celebs in crowns and expensive outfits, with silver spoons in their gormless gobs.
I work in the NHS – a lot of my friends have no jobs now. A lot of children will go without care on critical condition wards. A lot of people have no hope for the future, only despair, fear and darkness -but hey….a cheering thought is the sheer amount of money USED to fund security costs for this freakish outdated method of feel-good trash event attended by those who persist in having their big boots on our little necks.
Another cheering thought ha ha is the false portrayal of society’s views by the media – NOT everyone was ‘moved’ or ‘excited’ about seeing a couple of overpampered strangers engendering a vulgar, greedy and inappropriate parade of grotesque wealth and pomposity.
Not all of us. And we must be accounted for – for the sake of Truth itself.
The Queen is not chosen by ‘divine’ right, neither is it the next in line’s ‘right’ to ‘rule’ us – the only thing which has any hand in ‘ruling’ us is nature itself.
And us for some, will not be ‘moved’ or ‘excited’ about the next grotesque outdated ‘royal’ parade.
Good Luck Republic Comrades. We are ‘moved’ and ‘excited’ by your brave actions.
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[...] “Taking into consideration the feeling of the local community the council have decided to refuse the application and Earlham Street will not be closed on 29 April 2011,” they added. Read the full statement here. [...]