National Trust leaves a bad taste after making all scones vegan

THE National Trust has sparked intense debate among visitors over its scones – and it’s not about whether jam or cream comes first. Instead, controversy has arisen over the charity’s decision to make them vegan to accommodate dietary needs and for people with dairy allergies.

Some have complained that the scones, served across its 280 cafes, taste like “dry biscuits”. Maude Newby, a 64-year-old long-time National Trust member, from Bury St Edmonds, Suffolk, told the Daily Mail: “I can’t stand the taste of the new scones. They are not like traditional ones at all – they are flatter, drier and have an unappealing texture.”

Sir Bill Cash, the Conservative MP for Stone, who often has tea and scones in the House of Commons, also told the newspaper: “It makes me wonder what will happen next – will they stop selling Madeira cake because of historical events in Madeira?

“There’s far too much wokery going on at the National Trust, this is just the latest example.”

In response to the criticism, Celia Richardson, director of communications for the charity, said on X, formerly Twitter: “The culture warriors have reached the gates of the citadel. Now our scones are ‘secretly woke’. If you come for our scones you’d best not miss. National Trust scones have been made without butter for many years and we publish all our recipes.”

The UK’S largest charity has been engulfed in a number of rows accusing it of wokery recently.

Some MPS have demanded that it be stripped of its charitable status following the publication of a report linking almost 100 of its properties to slavery and colonialism.

Rene Olivieri, the trust’s chairman, insisted the charity needed to “embrace a wider range of viewpoints”, which may leave some feeling “uncomfortable”.

Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, has accused the Conservatives of “waging a war” on charities and civil society.

Mr Starmer said: “In its desperation to cling onto power, at all costs, the Tory party is trying to find woke agendas in the very civic institutions they once regarded with respect.”

‘They are not like traditional ones… they are flatter, drier and have an unappealing texture’