Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
BITTER BLOW BELFAST, DERRY AND STRABANE
Brexit scuppers City of Culture bid Politicians blast ‘spiteful posturing’
BELFAST and Derry’s joint bid to become the 2023 European Capital of Culture has become the latest victim of Brexit.
The two cities had entered an application along with Strabane town to share the accolade, backed by a high-profile campaign launched in July.
But a letter published by the website Politico said the European Commission has written to the UK Government to inform them British cities are no longer eligible in light of voting to leave the EU.
Others left disappointed include Nottingham, Leeds and Dundee.
Politicians yesterday hit out at the decision.
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said: “The news the European Commission has written to the British Government to state a British city cannot be a European Capital of Culture in 2023 is a bitter blow for the joint bid from Belfast and Derry.
“The SDLP has written directly to the EU Commission to ask that we are treated as a special case.
“I’ve also made contact with the Irish Government to ask for their intervention with the EU Commission to ask that the bid for the two cities on the island of Ireland can proceed.” Democratic Unionist MEP Diane Dodds also criticised the news, saying: “This is needless and spiteful posturing by the Commission.
“In spite of assurances they will not act in malice or attempt to punish the UK, here we have an example of the schoolboy pettiness we have come to expect from Brussels. Indeed to have waited until the UK’S cities spent considerable money and resources before making this decision demonstrates the malevolent intentions of those involved.”
The Capital of Culture accolade is appointed to a different European city each year on rotation.
Selection is highly sought after as the title can boost tourism for the chosen cities.
The UK was chosen as the host nation for 2023, with the decision made prior to the country’s vote to leave the EU. The Belfast-derry bid
SDLP LEADER YESTERDAY
Liverpool’s year as Capital of Culture in 2008 is reckoned to have boosted its economy by around £750million.
Winning cities get some EU money and government money and a big tourism boost. Almost half of the allotted budget for the Belfast-derry bid has been spent.
Council officials revealed £350,000 has been used in the doomed campaign.
An £800,000 budget was set aside. has previously insisted Brexit would not impact on their candidacy as three non-eu cities have held the title before.
In a statement, Belfast City Council said: “We are aware the Department for Culture is still in discussions with the European Commission on behalf of all five cities involved and are seeking urgent clarification on the matter.
“We are, however, deeply disappointed with this recent development, but are committed to ensuring the time, energy, enthusiasm, ideas and resources put into our bid are carried forward regardless.
“It is still our intention to ensure our cultural ambitions are realised and we will be in discussion with Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and Derry City and Strabane District Council in the coming days.”
Meanwhile, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Tom Watson described the Commission’s decision as a “great shame”.
He added: “Some cities have already spent up to £500,000 on their bid submissions.”