Key facts
- Sunderland City Council, led by Reform UK, has ended its 30-year support for Show Racism the Red Card.
- The council leader stated the charity was a "politically charged organisation with an agenda."
- Gary Bennett, Show Racism the Red Card's head coach, expressed shock and disappointment.
- Reform UK councillors in Bradford proposed ending the Local Authority of Sanctuary scheme.
- Opposition politicians criticized the Sunderland council's decision as "misguided, cruel."
Sunderland City Council, under new leadership from the Reform UK party, has decided to end its 30-year support for the anti-racism charity Show Racism the Red Card. The council's leader, Christopher Eynon, stated that the authority would no longer fund "politically charged organisations with an agenda." This decision has drawn sharp criticism from opposition politicians, including Labour's Bridget Phillipson, who called the move "misguided, cruel and in no way backed by the people of Sunderland."
Gary Bennett, head coach for Show Racism the Red Card and a former Sunderland AFC captain, expressed his shock and disappointment, noting that Sunderland was the first local authority to support the charity. He emphasized that the charity is not political and that cutting ties will disrupt its educational programs in schools, prisons, and workplaces. Bennett highlighted that racism remains an issue, particularly concerning asylum seekers and migrants, and stressed the ongoing need for the charity's work.
Eynon maintained that the council is not abandoning its opposition to racism and discrimination. However, he took issue with comments made by Show Racism the Red Card's chief executive, Ged Grebby, who described Reform UK as a "very dangerous organisation." Grebby defended his right to express personal views, stating the charity has cross-party support.
In a separate but related development, Reform UK councillors in Bradford have proposed withdrawing from the Local Authority of Sanctuary scheme, which supports migrant communities. The Bradford Reform group cited a desire to prioritize public services for local residents over refugee engagement. This move was criticized by Bradford's Labour group leader, Imran Khan, who characterized it as "vice signalling" that promotes division.