Brighton & Hove Liberal Democrats have called on Brighton & Hove City Council to get “real over” this summer’s Pride celebrations, saying businesses, residents and LGBTQ+ attendees “deserve better”.
According to the Party, the council’s recently announced plans to move the street party to Marine Parade, whilst leaving St James’ Street unticketed and fully open to traffic, “are the worst of all worlds for all parties”. In a release, the Lib Dems say “current plans will lead to a dangerous, chaotic event which risks increasing disruption to local residents rather than decreasing it”.
Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Kemptown, Robert Brown, said “The council need to get real over this year’s Pride. Local LGBT+ people and businesses are furious at the lack of detailed planning or engagement from the council.’
“The current plans being cobbled together regarding the village party are short-sighted, naive and outright dangerous. It seems the council have decided to bury their heads in the sand, choosing to pretend that the world is as they wish it was rather than engaging with the reality.’
“They appear to believe that simply by moving the ticketed street party to Marine Parade, whilst leaving St James’ Street fully open to the public and visitors, this will be sufficient to stop crowds congregating in St James’ Street. This is naive at best and totally disingenuous at worst.’
“The reality is that, whether the council like it or not, or whether it is the location of the ticketed party or not, Pride attendees are going to flock to St James’ Street. This is the area that many know and love, as well as being the location of some of the most fabulous LGBT+ venues in the country. If left open to traffic and without the required infrastructure to cope with so many people, it will quickly become dangerous. The council need to recognise this reality fast.’
“The Labour Lead Councillor has even said that people with tickets will go to the “safe party area” – thus acknowledging that the other area will not be safe, yet have failed to bring confirmation to date regarding what they will do to make that area also safe.’
“There are realistically two options available to the council. Either they recognise that LGBT+ people will congregate on St James’ Street and accommodate this reality in a safe and considered manner, or they will need to issue dispersal orders and be faced with the prospect of widespread images of a Labour council and government instructing police to fine, forcibly remove or arrest potentially thousands of LGBT+ people in the most LGBT+ ward in the country. I can’t imagine anybody wants to see that.’
“The fact that many of the LGBTQ+ venues are taking things into their own hands by liaising with each other, the bus companies and police speaks volumes and shows that the Lead Member for Outdoor Events, locally elected ward Councillors and local MP are incapable of leading on this. Brighton & Hove City Council needs to step up and ensure the community’s anxieties, concerns and fears around safety are sufficiently dealt with.’
“Whilst nobody denies that improvements to the street party are necessary, the current proposals are inappropriate and dangerous, leaving many of those most impacted in the dark. We urge the council to engage properly and think again, recognising the reality to ensure the best event for residents, businesses and the wider LGBT+ community.”
Scene magazine has contacted Brighton & Hove City Council for comment; we have yet to hear back.
