Gladstone park could be renamed over slavery links

A PARK honouring William Gladstone, the former prime minister, will be reviewed over slavery links and could be renamed by schoolchildren.

Brent borough council’s administration has signed off proposals “inspired by Black Lives Matter” to review place names in the area.

Early in his political career, fourtime Liberal prime minister Gladstone lobbied for compensation for former slave owners, including his father, after abolition.

He later criticised the practice of slavery as “by far the foulest crime that taints the history of mankind”.

Gladstone Park, Gladstone Park Gardens and Gladstone Park Primary School will be reviewed following the resolution of Labour councillors.

The council administration has also signed off a proposal that local schoolchildren should take part in an exercise to help rename the landmarks.

Mili Patel, a councillor, said in a meeting of the council cabinet: “The obviously very powerful Black Lives Matter movement has inspired this work.”

The proposals are linked to the Brent Black Community Action Plan, which was drafted in the aftermath of the killing of George Floyd. Brent councillors resolved to implement the plans, including proposals that “Brent schools are to be invited to take part in an exercise to rename Gladstone Park by the October half-term holidays”.

Cllr Margaret Mclennan said that the plan was part of a global “outpouring” in black communities.