Kirklees councillors clash over whether Brexit Day should be marked in the borough

Brexit Day will NOT be marked in Kirklees – at least not officially.
Union and EU fags flutter outside the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, London      (Photo  NIKLAS HALLE'N/AFP/Getty Images)Union and EU fags flutter outside the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, London      (Photo  NIKLAS HALLE'N/AFP/Getty Images)
Union and EU fags flutter outside the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, London (Photo NIKLAS HALLE'N/AFP/Getty Images)

Asked if bells will be rung on Friday at any of the borough’s town halls the Labour-run authority confirmed it has “no plans for any such activity”.

But Leavers are likely to celebrate privately, even if Remainers do not.

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Politicians across the council chamber in Huddersfield gave their thoughts on the finale to the Brexit referendum of 2016.

Councillor John Taylor, deputy leader of the Conservative group on Kirklees Council, said: “I think it is appropriate that the Brexit Day is marked nationally and I support the Government initiatives but feel that locally we should all be able to mark the day as individuals.

“I will be celebrating, alongside many of my colleagues.

“I recognise that this will not be universally welcomed across the political spectrum and would wish to avoid embroiling Kirklees in an unnecessary argument.

“Now that we are leaving the European Union, in line with the decision of the country in 2016, we need to leave behind the labels of ‘Leave’ and ‘Remain’ and all get behind what I anticipate will be a bright future for our country.”

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Coun Andrew Cooper, leader of the Green group, had a markedly different response.

He said: “No, I don’t think it should be marked.

“Brexit has divided people and turning it into some sort of celebration is tasteless and insensitive.

Boris Johnson may think it is appropriate to have a countdown clock and mint a special 50p piece but I don’t.

“He said he wanted to get Brexit done. It seems rather that he wants to rub the noses in it of the millions of us who didn’t support Brexit.”

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Coun John Lawson, leader of the Lib Dems, gave a categoric “No” to celebrating Brexit Day.

He added: “Enough time and money has been wasted already on Brexit without wasting more officer time and money from the public purse.

“Whoever holds the purse strings, we will be trying our best to hold them to account in the future.”

Coun Shabir Pandor, Labour Leader of Kirklees Council, said: “There was talk nationally of making Big Ben chime on Friday. That plan was dropped because it would have cost half a million pounds.

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“Historically Brexit Day will be marked, because January 31 will be a historic moment.

“The great public are very sensible. They will pull together and make the best of Brexit.

“It’s been an exhausting three years and people want closure.

“Now we need to respect the democratic decision and move forward.”