Backlash over name chosen for landmark
COUNCIL bosses have been branded ‘populist’ and too ‘politically correct’ after calling Stockport’s newest landmark Suffragette Square.
The name has been given to an area at the new Redrock leisure development and was picked from 1,500 suggested after the council asked for nominations from the public.
But since the name was announced on Thursday there has been a large backlash against it.
The council say some Suffragettes were from Stockport and the title is a nod to Elizabeth Raffald, Gertrude Powicke, Elsie Plant and Hannah Winbolt - all prominent women connected with the borough
But many people have countered that Raffald died before the Suffragette movement was conceived of and there were many other better, more contem- porary options.
John Maher, 38, from Heaton Norris, said: “No one has heard of these people, it is just political correctness.
“The whole point was to name it after someone from Stockport. I suggested George Buck who built the viaduct but a lot of people are saying Andy Roughley (who organises charity events including Roughley’s Bike Show).
“And he is worthy because of all he has done for Stockport, everyone knows him. It seems the council had no intention of listening and just picked what it wanted.”
The day of the Suffragette Square announcement was also International Women’s Day, which many say was more than a coincidence.
When it announced the plan to use a nominated name last month the council said: “We want the square to be named after a Stopfordian who is either significant in the life of our local community or to you as a resident.”
There was a large reaction to the news on social media.
Paul Holland commented on Facebook: “What the heck is that to do with Stockport? Just a populist choice due to it being the anniversary of votes for women, a noble cause.”
Robert Kelly said: “It was meant to be named after someone not a movement, there were thousands of Suffragettes worldwide that have nothing to do with Stockport.
“Call it Gertrude or Powicke Square, it would mean more, or name it after the George Cross winner from Stockport. To name it after a movement after asking who we should name it after is shocking.”
But Irene Davenport countered: “All four of the women were nominated by members of the public. These women’s legacy still lives on after 100 years.
“Would we still be able to say that about some of the people mentioned as better names?”
Councillor Kate Butler, cabinet member for regeneration, said: “We wanted the square to be named after an amazing story connected to Stockport.
“We felt that Suffragette Square was particularly appropriate 100 years after the vote was first extended to women. The four benches in the square will be named after one of these four special women.”
An official naming ceremony will take place this summer whilst opportunities to celebrate other people nominated are being looked at.