Lichfield Liberal Democrats oppose Staffordshire's Pride in libraries ban

Pride month in June has traditionally been marked by displays in libraries featuring material relevant to the LGBTQ+ community. However, the County Council has banned any such display this year, since in the words of Council Leader Councillor Martin Murray:

“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.”

Lichfield Liberal Democrats see this as an infringement of the right to free speech – although this is not a book ban, the terms “slippery slope” and “thin end of the wedge” have frequently come up in discussion. The Lib Dems have been vocal in their opposition to the policies of Reform UK, locally and nationally.

Lib Dem District Councillor Hugh Ashton (Stowe) has written to Cllr Murray, following discussions with leaders of other political groupings, pointing out that:

“According to your wording, such events as International Women's Day, Black History Month, and Armed Forces Day could not be promoted in libraries or marked with special book displays or other events. Taken to extremes, Christmas and Easter could not be marked or celebrated – these festivals promote and privilege Christianity, as Eid and Diwali do for Islam and Hinduism. Any displays or events that might benefit children are clearly promoting the interest of that age group.”

At the same time, while a Reform UK councillor, Cllr Wallens (Lichfield City North) has produced a poster advertising a residents' surgery in the Lichfield library, featuring a political affiliation and party emblem, another party has been specifically told not to use party names or emblems when advertising their surgery in another Staffordshire library.

In addition, Cllr Murray has quoted a Council strategy as justification for the ban:

“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.” [emphasis added]

Cllr Ashton has asked Cllr Murray on what basis the ban on displaying Pride materials has been made:

“Your words may currently be interpreted as meaning that your proposed ban on the promotion of Pride month and of other groups has no legal force and is only a recommendation based on an internal policy. Can you please confirm this?”

At the time of writing, there has been no response to these requests.