Push for royal town isn’t all a bed of roses

Lancaster and York rivalry to the fore after ministers back calls for a northern city to be given title

A MODERN-DAY War of the Roses has broken out between Lancaster and York after ministers backed calls for a northern town to receive a royal title.

The idea to give royal status to a town in the North of England to coincide with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee was backed by senior Tories at their party conference, including Oliver Dowden, the party chairman.

MPS had hoped that the idea would correct an apparent injustice that there is no town, borough or county with a “Royal” prefix in northern England.

However, it immediately triggered competing claims from MPS representing Lancaster and York – the centuriesold rivals – that the title should be conferred on their cities.

The idea was first mooted by Michael Crick, the journalist, who pointed out on social media that “there are nine royal boroughs in England, nearly all in leafy places, none further north than Sutton Coldfield. How about some further north, to give northern towns a new boost? Royal Borough of Barrow anyone?”

Mr Crick’s suggestion swiftly received the backing of Jake Berry, the chairman of the Northern Research Group of Tory MPS, who said: “I could think of nothing better than the Queen honouring places north of Sutton Coldfield with royal status.”

That prompted ministers to get involved. Mr Dowden told a Telegraph fringe meeting that conferring a royal title on a northern town or city was “an excellent idea”. Guy Opperman, the work and pensions minister, then suggested his Hexham seat for royal status.

By yesterday, MPS representing Lancaster and York had become involved.

Cat Smith, the Labour MP for Lancaster and Fleetwood, said she would have “no issue with becoming the Royal City of Lancaster”, particularly given the Queen is styled “the Duke of Lancaster” by Lancastrians.

But asked how she would feel if York were to be given royal patronage ahead of Lancaster, she warned: “I will be outraged – that would be such an injustice. Let’s face it, Lancaster won the War of the Roses, it’s our royal patronage to have.”

Rachael Maskell, the Labour MP for York Central, backed the White Rose, saying it was “a really interesting suggestion” for a city that is “very much known for its Quaker tradition”.

But asked how she would feel if Lancaster were afforded the status before York, Ms Maskell replied: “Well, that simply can’t happen, can it? I think even the Government will recognise that would be a grave error.”

Lancaster and York’s long-standing rivalry can trace its origins to the Wars of the Roses in the 15th century, when the two rival royal houses tore England apart in an effort to seat their claimants on the throne.

The Cabinet Office said it would consider petitions or applications only from the relevant council bidding for royal status. A spokesman said: “The royal title is granted by the Queen on the advice of ministers. The honour is granted to towns, boroughs or counties in exceptional circumstances where they have played an outstanding role in public life or have a very strong historic royal connection.”

There are 10 places that hold a royal title in the UK, including Berkshire, Greenwich and Wootton Bassett. There has been a long-running campaign to reinstate an 11th: Sutton Coldfield.

The town’s royal title was first granted by Henry VIII by royal charter in 1528 and later confirmed by Charles II in 1664. In 2014, the Government said that while the title “Royal” has not been regranted to Sutton Coldfield, there is no statutory prohibition on the town’s use of its historic title.