Dismantling Diversity: Reform-Led Council Cuts Essential Training Amid Controversy

In a controversial move, a Reform-led council has decided to scrap diversity training for its councillors, igniting a heated debate about the impact on social equality initiatives. The decision, announced on June 13, removed modules on equality, diversity, inclusion (EDI), and climate change from the Member Induction and Development Programme. The council leader, Andrew Husband, argued that there is no legal obligation for councillors to undergo such training, a stance that has provoked criticism from former councillors and advocates for social equity.

After winning a dominant 63 out of 98 seats in the recent local elections, the Reform party, spearheaded by national leader Nigel Farage, is pushing back against what they view as divisive training practices. Farage previously mentioned that council members would just boycott such training, emphasizing a belief that ”all people should be treated equally”. This perspective was echoed in Husband’s statements during a full council meeting, where he also requested alternative arrangements to support councillors in fulfilling their public sector equality duties.

Critics of the decision, including former Labour councillor Rochelle Lainé, have expressed deep concerns, suggesting that this withdrawal may undo years of progress in combating inequality. She argues that the council’s stance poses a risk of reintroducing casual racism and sexism and promotes a dangerous rhetoric that exacerbates societal divides.

In response, Darren Grimes, the deputy leader of the Reform caucus, dismissed these allegations as baseless. He defended the removal of the unconscious bias training, labeling it a ”uniquely racist” concept that unfairly presumes prejudice based on characteristics like skin color. Grimes positioned his party as defenders of equity, consisting of members who reject the notion of privilege tied to immutable traits, advocating instead for a vision of equality that does not hinge on factors like race or gender.