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arts of south London are set to be renamed to honour the Windrush generation and erase links with slave traders.
It also backed the scrapping of three Lambeth wards named after people with links to the slave trade — Vassall, Thurlow Park and Tulse Hill.
Brixton Tube station during lockdown
/ PAThe Brixton Windrush ward was one of several suggestions to the Boundary Commission from the Liberal Democrats to acknowledge “the contribution of the Windrush Generation and their communities to the life of the borough”.
Public consultation on the proposals is now open until April 12. The area in front of Brixton Tate library was renamed Windrush Square in 2010.
Doug Buist, spokesperson for Lambeth Liberal Democrats, said: “We proposed a ward called Brixton Windrush because we wanted to acknowledge the history of the area and the importance and contribution of the Windrush Generation and their descendants to the life of the borough.”
Lib-Dem mayoral candidate Luisa Porritt: Renaming wards is part of battle for racial justice
/ Andrew KingLuisa Porritt, Liberal Democrat candidate for Mayor of London, said: “Renaming wards is an important part of our battle for racial justice and celebration of London’s diverse communities.
“Just as statues fall and roads are renamed, our democratic process should move on too – leaving behind names that belong in the past while recognising those who have made our city what it is today.”
The Empire Windrush arrives in Tilbury Dock with 802 Caribbean citizens on board
/ SSPL via Getty Images
Vassall ward was named after Henry Richard Vassall-Fox, whose statue in Holland Park was vandalised last year.
Thurlow Park was named after Edward Thurlow, who tried to sabotage anti-slavery legislation.
Tulse Hill was named after Sir Henry Tulse, a former Lord Mayor of London who profited from the West African slave trade.
The review of council wards has been happening across most London boroughs. Its primary purpose is to ensure an equal number of voters per ward but the process also aims to ensure that the wards “reflect the interests and identities of local communities” as well as promoting effective local government.
Mr Khan’s diversity commission will be asked to make recommendations to increase the diversity of the public realm in London, including statues, street names, memorials and building names.
The Mayor has previously helped to install a statue of suffragist leader Millicent Fawcett in Parliament Square, and backed calls for new memorials for Stephen Lawrence, the Windrush generation, a National Slavery Museum or Memorial, and a National Sikh War Memorial.
