Reform UK councillor sparks row over Stafford Pride funding claims
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A political row has erupted in Staffordshire after Reform UK councillor Ian Cooper, leader of Staffordshire County Council, publicly refused to allocate council funds to this year’s Stafford Pride event - prompting backlash from organisers and LGBTQ+ advocates.
Speaking in a televised interview, Councillor Cooper stated that while he supports the right to celebrate Pride, he believes taxpayer money should not be used to fund such events. “We’re not against Pride - have a great time, enjoy yourself,” he said. “However, we are not going to spend taxpayers’ money funding that. If you want to do that, go to the private sector, ask charities, put your hand in your own pocket - we think priorities are better spent on other things”.
We await an apology from Councillor Cooper and his amendment on record in due course
His comments were swiftly defended by fellow Reform councillor Harrison Allman-Varty, who argued that funding Pride is “not a main priority” for Britain’s “cash-strapped councils.” He suggested that corporate sponsors and private donors should bear the financial burden instead.
However, Stafford Pride organisers have strongly disputed Cooper’s claims, stating that the event is not funded by the council in the way he implied. Jack Taylor-Walker, Chair of Stafford Pride, clarified that the 2024 event received a modest £1,700 from four councillors’ Community Funds - grants allocated for local initiatives that meet specific criteria. The total cost of the event exceeded £35,000, with the majority of funding coming from local businesses, ticket sales, and private sponsorships.
Taylor-Walker called for a public apology from Councillor Cooper, accusing him of spreading “false claims” and misrepresenting the financial structure of the event. “Staffordshire County Council as a local authority did not pay nor fund Stafford Pride apart from the aforementioned,” he said. “We await an apology from Councillor Cooper and his amendment on record in due course”.
