Two-thirds worry that minority of political activists have too much say over nation’s monuments

More than two-thirds of Britons are worried that a minority of political activists have too much say over the nation’s monuments, a new poll has found.

The fears over the treatment of statues have been revealed by new statistics from the think tank Policy Exchange that show 70 per cent are concerned a small few have too much influence. 

A huge 80 per cent of the British public think that Churchill’s statue should stay in Parliament Square, after a Black Lives Matter leader said it should be removed, with clear support for Churchill staying put across all age groups. 

The polling also showed that 69 per cent of people are proud of the UK’s history as a whole, with only 17 per cent saying it is something to be ashamed of. 

In addition 65 per cent think ‘it is unfair to make judgments about people in the past based on today’s values’ and agree that ‘statues of people who were once celebrated should be allowed to stand’.   

Only 20 per cent of those who took part in the survey agreed that ‘we should question how we look at British history and no longer recognise success if it caused misery or suffering to some victims’. 

The polling carried out for the think tank comes as it launches its History Matters Project chaired by the broadcaster and former politician Trevor Phillips. 

Concerns that children aren’t being taught enough history, or well enough, to make value judgements about contemporary questions such as removing statues were also raised by the data.  

In the survey 60 per cent thought that children should have to study history to GCSE.  

Serious concerns about the role of police in protecting statues were also brought up, with 75 per cent saying they need to protect statues from ‘violent removal’.      

An overwhelming 77 per cent also said ‘we should learn from history rather than try to re-write it’. 

Trevor Phillips, Chair of Policy Exchange’s History Matters Project, said: ‘Much of this action by mainstream institutions and public bodies is well-meaning. Some of it is happening alongside laudable and overdue efforts to increase diversity and tackle genuine racism. 

‘We all want to find ways to improve the life opportunities and outcomes for people from BAME backgrounds – and we want to find ways to build shared narratives and histories.

‘But what concerns me about the current moment is the rapid and unthinking way in which large swathes of our public heritage is being effectively re-written, or erased entirely – much of it seemingly without much proper debate or forethought. 

‘It all adds up to a major transformation in the way in which we deal with history in the public square. At a minimum, we think there needs to be pause for reflection – and to consider what is being done, why and with what effect.

‘My worry too is that this new culture war risks distracting from us from the practical steps that need to be taken to make a real and lasting practical difference to the lives of BAME people in this country. 

‘When even one the most distinguished contemporary African leaders, Graca Machel, argues that Rhodes should not fall, and should serve as a constant reminder of the history of which he was a part, maybe we should listen to her words.’

The survey questioned 1,560 people last week.