New Mayor of Doncaster vows to cut gay pride funding

[convert]

Looks like the newly elected Mayor of Doncaster is going to upset a few people in his 'fight against political correctness'.

Not only has he vowed to cut funds for the gay pride event, he also plans to reduce the funds available for translation services in the borough.

Full story here http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/south_yorkshire...

Is this really a stand against political correctness, or is it homophobic?

The Doncaster pride committee states that over the past 2 years they've brought over 6000 visitors to the city, thus bringing extra revenue to the city.

My personal opinion is that these events, amongst others, are good for a city, and that they do raise extra revenue; but that they should be funded by the community that they support, along with commercial enterprises that stand to benefit.

I also feel that translation services should be made available to non-English speakers for a limited time only (say 4 years), during which time they should learn to speak our native tongue.

Edited by convert on Sunday 7th June 19:13

[elster]

I think it is fair.

I don't really see the need for a gay pride event, unless privately funded.

[Pferdestarke]

Peter Davies was Head of Politics at my school. He never taught me but stood in as a supply teacher occasionally. If his teaching style is anything to go by, expect a few fireworks and harsh language at The Mansion House over the coming months.

He got my vote on the basis that his manifesto included actions against issues affecting the people of Doncaster such as the ridiculous 'Quality Bus Corridor' which has caused carnage and ruined Bawtry Road. He also wants to make a stand against loutish behaviour in our Town Centre by adopting a zero-tolerance approach to managing it.

I think he is an Englishman sticking up for English men and although he looks a little extremist at the moment, I hope that it will become more dilute once he is at the helm.

Hopefully the Borough will benefit from Peter Davies.

[staceyb]

elster said:

I think it is fair.

I don't really see the need for a gay pride event, unless privately funded.

Totally agree, I think I might try and organise a Straight pride or a Bi Pride festival and see how far I get with that.

[Somewhatfoolish]

State sponsored gay pride events have served their purpose... actually there is some irony that governments started funding the after homosexuality became (essentially) universally acceptable. If they were to be funded by government then it should have been while people were still bigoted.

[AJS-]

Good lefty think convert, people elect a Mayor whose policies intentionally and explicitly aim to fight political correctness and cut spending, then you accuse him of homophobia because he won't fund a gay pride march out of public money.

[Fittster]

If an event really does being visitors into a location I'm sure private businesses will be willing to fund it.

What exactly are translation services translating?

[DJC]

Come on, hands up who even knew or figured that Doncaster *had* a gay pride event?

[drivin_me_nuts]

Not sure the economics of cutting the grant to the festival.

A lot of money comes into a town when there is a pride festival. Make the festival less viable fewer people go, less money all around. Who wins?

I don't think it's homophobic, just not sure it makes any business sense.

[Fittster]

drivin_me_nuts said:

Not sure the economics of cutting the grant to the festival.

A lot of money comes into a town when there is a pride festival. Make the festival less viable fewer people go, less money all around.

So why won't local businesses fund it from their own pocket if they receive the benefit?

[AndrewW-G]

DJC said:

Come on, hands up who even knew or figured that Doncaster *had* a gay pride event?

Think this character does

[Pesty]

Pferdestarke said:

Peter Davies was Head of Politics at my school. He never taught me but stood in as a supply teacher occasionally. If his teaching style is anything to go by, expect a few fireworks and harsh language at The Mansion House over the coming months.

He was on the politics show this afternoon.
Exactly what we need a streight talking Yorkshireman. Non of this usual Labour spin. Good on him

[T89 Preparation.]

Linky at the top not working?

Anyway, why should a gay pride march be public funded? I bet they wouldn't fund my planned PetrolHead Pride Rally would they?

Going to sound like a right bigot here but if you want to live in England then you should speak English, If I moved to say... Germany I would not expect the Germans to pay for me to learn German, I would learn before I went out of my own pocket.

[Pesty]

DJC said:

Come on, hands up who even knew or figured that Doncaster *had* a gay pride event?

I didn't and I live here

Even if it does bring in cash to local businesses why should I have to fund it? I'd rather they empty the bins every week

The only thing I can think of that brings in cash to donny is the race course. Whatever this gay pride march brough in would be peanuts.

Do people really come from all over to parade down dony high street? or are they here already spending teh pink pound anyway.

[MrTom]

I was born in Doncaster and have never heard of or seen any gay pride event. I also voted Peter Davies because he addressed local issues such as the terrible bus corridor and huge housing estate planned which would overwhelm local infrastructure.

[Pesty]

I voted for him for 2 reasons.
1) his was the only leaflet posted through my door, none of the others bothered
2)I liked most of what it said (and he wasnt labour or cons)

What will probably happen is that labour councilors will fight him at every stage, he probably will not have much power to change things.

[Pesty]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/south_yorkshire...


link and story in case link does not work

Mayor vows to cut Gay Pride funds

Mr Davies says he wants to stamp out political correctness
The newly-elected mayor of Doncaster has threatened to cut funding to the town's Gay Pride event as part of his pledge to fight political correctness.

Peter Davies, of the English Democrats, said: "My policy on gays and lesbians is very simple.

"I don't think councils should be spending money on them parading through town advertising their sexuality."

Doncaster Pride said the event, which attracts up to 8,000 people, would still take place on 16 August.

A statement from the Doncaster Pride Committee said: "We believe everyone has a right to their opinion and if the newly elected mayor of Doncaster holds personal opinions about the staging of a Pride event in the borough we feel he is entitled to that view.


The simple message is the show goes on...with or without support from Doncaster council

Doncaster Pride statement
"However, in the last two years we have brought over 6,000 visitors into Doncaster and anticipate an audience this year of up to 8,000.

"These people spend money in Doncaster and come to enjoy a great day out."

The organisers said they had received "massive support" from other agencies, including South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, South Yorkshire Police, the Home Office and a number of trade unions.

"The simple message is the show goes on. We as a committee are resolute in our aims to bring this event to Doncaster and will do so with or without support from Doncaster council."

Mr Davies said: "I have nothing whatsoever against gays and lesbians, what they do in their private lives is absolutely fine.

"But I don't see why councils should be spending money on that sort of thing."

Mr Davies has also stated he intends to cut funding for translation services for non-English speakers in the borough.

The English Democrats say they want "English freedoms and values, not multiculturalism".

They also advocate withdrawal from the European Union, the "right to enjoy and celebrate Englishness", an end to political correctness and an end to mass immigration.

Party chairman Robin Tilbrook said: "Peter has done fantastically well, he's fought a great campaign on the issues that really matter.

"This is not only a great result for the people of Doncaster, it's a great result for the people of England too. Peter is now truly the Boris Johnson of the north."

[Graham E]

I'd vote for him - imo "pride" type eventa are a waste of time, effort and money. In fact, most are imo even negative, and reinfore the "we're different" message, rather than show unity. But then, i've never been much of a polotician =)

[Kermit power]

drivin_me_nuts said:

Not sure the economics of cutting the grant to the festival.

A lot of money comes into a town when there is a pride festival. Make the festival less viable fewer people go, less money all around. Who wins?

I don't think it's homophobic, just not sure it makes any business sense.

I'm not sure your thinking is taking everything into account there.

Remember, whilst the gay pride event may well bring money into Doncaster, the council doesn't profit directly. They still only have a finite budget to spend, so the business sense question surely isn't whether funding a gay pride march is a profitable use of cash, but whether it is the most profitable use of it? Given the relatively small cross-section of the population that a gay pride march caters to, I can't imagine that it is?

[Vron]

MrTom said:

I was born in Doncaster and have never heard of or seen any gay pride event. I also voted Peter Davies because he addressed local issues such as the terrible bus corridor and huge housing estate planned which would overwhelm local infrastructure.

It was refreshing to see him stick to his pre election pledge to halve the Mayor's salary from £62K now he is going to be Mayor. It saddens me to see Doncaster town centre going down the toilet. My old school is boarded up with those razor topped railings around it. Lets see how he gets on.....