Protest over Bristol Tory leader
Protestors calling for the resignation of Bristol's Tory leader were given a standing ovation at a city council meeting.
Around 30 people turned up to last night's full meeting at the Council House to express their anger at comments made by Councillor Richard Eddy about funding for an anti-homophobia group.
Mr Eddy, who leads the Conservative group on the city council, had told the Bristol Evening Post he believed the £400,000 Lottery grant awarded to the Clifton-based EACH group was an "outrageous waste of money".
The group plans to use the money to set up support groups for gay and lesbian children and young adults, and tackle homophobic bullying in schools.
The award made up more than half of the money handed out last month in the region by the Big Lottery Fund.
Mr Eddy condemned the decision to award the cash as pandering to "politically correct lobbies" that reflected the Government's priorities – but then found himself branded a homophobe.
Outside the council chamber yesterday, protesters held banners calling for Mr Eddy to be sacked, and chanted "Eddy, Eddy, Eddy, out, out, out".
Barrister Darren Lewis, who set up a Facebook group criticising Mr Eddy following the story, spoke on behalf of the protesters during the meeting.
The 27-year-old from Clifton said: "I represent a group of people who are full of anger and hope.
"They are angry because homophobic bullying is still endemic in schools.
"Four out of five secondary school teachers say they are aware of verbal homophobic bullying, a quarter are aware of physical homophobic bullying.
"They are angry because they read the comments by Councillor Eddy. They are hopeful you might apologise. They are hopeful that the council will stand with us against the bullies, and the bigots and the nay-sayers."
Speaking before the meeting, Mr Lewis said the money wasn't outrageous as it would be divided between four local authorities over a five-year period.
Mr Lewis' speech was followed by a thunderous round of applause from the gallery and most councillors sitting in the chamber. All Liberal Democrat, Labour and Green party members stood up to show their support, followed by around five of the Tory members – including Mr Eddy.
The Tory group leader has strongly denied that he is homophobic, but he did not apologise for his comments.
He said: "For the record, I stated very fully that the Conservative Party and I have always opposed bullying and discrimination in any circumstances.
"Sadly it is all too apparent that the serious issue of bullying has been hijacked by some, including political opponents, who are pursuing their own agenda. The issue is not whether organisations such as EACH are deserving of support. At a time of economic crisis, all publicly accountable bodies have to prioritise limited resources.
"It will be a sad day for our society if members feel unable to speak up for the people who elected them through being cowed by orchestrated campaigns and personal abuse."
Mr Eddy was heckled from the gallery during his response, with shouts of "hypocrite", "shame" and "resign".
17 Comments
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by Steve, Downend
Wednesday, September 16 2009, 10:59PM
“Go Julraj. At last someone willing to speak up and express the thoughts of the silent majority who do not agree with these self rightous, self appointed "thought police".”
by Jim, Knowle
Wednesday, September 16 2009, 8:52PM
“I didn't say it was a waste of money. But maybe it was disproportionate to the amount really required to be handed out that month - it appears it will last 4 years at least. There may have been and probably are more deserving causes requiring some of that money in the short term.
There are many other groups that don't attract the PC brigade that exist in Bristol.
I think they could have been given an annual allowance rather than a disgusting amount of money all in one go ;)”
by george, briz
Wednesday, September 16 2009, 6:13PM
“For the first time I also agree with Richard Eddy, it's an outrageous waste of money.”
by Mikos, Down a bit
Wednesday, September 16 2009, 2:41PM
“Good post Space Monster....an interesting list, is it not? I'm getting the words "gravy train". Is there a separate lottery to decide on lottery hand-outs? Sounds a bit like it.”
by NIGEL, Downend
Wednesday, September 16 2009, 2:10PM
“Can Mr Eddy let us know the amount of grant that would not be "an outrageous waste of taxpayers money" please?
Forty thousand pounds, four thousand pounds or four hundred pounts. I would loe to know!”
by Paul, Kingsway
Wednesday, September 16 2009, 1:55PM
“I agree with Richard Eddy - it is an outrageous waste of money.”
by Julraj, Clifton, Bristol
Wednesday, September 16 2009, 1:18PM
“James...you're such a loser.”
by Space Monster, Bristol
Wednesday, September 16 2009, 1:17PM
“Before Julraj et al get themselves into too much of a lather over this they should bear in mind the scale of lottery funding. Projects in the Bristol area alone have received £317,000,000 since the lottery's inception. Grants include £262,000 for BCC to improve the drainage on 8 football pitches, £389,000 to the Folkbeard Fantasy theatre company, £2,300,000 to the Kuumba arts centre and £374,000 to DA2 digital. The list goes on. Face it, this is not a disproportionate amount considering the scale of the problems here. Your irrational polemic simply emphasise the worthwhile nature of this project.”
by Steve, Glastonbury
Wednesday, September 16 2009, 1:16PM
“What a load of rubbish. Councillor Eddy is entitled, indeed duty bound, to express opinions on matters affecting the whole city. In this case because a minority pressure group got what he saw as an unfair share of the pot.
If you don't like his opinions don't vote for him of his party next election. Thats democracy - you know, comes with freedom of speech!”
by James, Bristol
Wednesday, September 16 2009, 12:46PM
“Julraj,
You just can't help yourself with those assumptions can you? You know nothing about me! If you were prepared to have this debate without constantly scrabbling around for tired stereotypes, I might have more time for you. As it is, you do your argument a disservice in betraying such ignorance.
Not that it's any of your business, but I'm a 30-year old, independent man who's been in full-time, taxed employment since he graduated; don't you dare presume to lecture me about jobs or the state of society.
Homophobic bullying is RIFE in our schools. LGB kids in this country are driven to isolation, depression, self-harm and suicide every day. This is exactly the point: the money IS needed. Just because Richard Eddy and others fail to grasp this - have no understanding of the scale of the problem or how deep-rooted it is - doesn't negate the need for the grant being given. All it shows is that its opponents have no comprehension of how bad the problem is.
Oh, and for the record I don't find Prince Philip remotely funny.”