National Trust war deepens as charity accuses opposing faction of running ‘ideological campaign’

The culture war intensified today when the charity accused ‘anti-awake’ activists of ‘overthinking’, breaking up the National Trust as they campaigned to oust their owners.

A group called the Restore Trust (RT) is supporting a group of candidates in the upcoming elections for the NT’s Governing Council after ‘blacklisting’ properties over links to colonialism and slavery.

There was also an uproar when stately domestic volunteers in Norfolk were ordered to wear gay pride badges in 2017, before the National Trust reversed the policy after 75 people quit or refused to work, their bosses. But accused of trampling their rights.

More than 6,000 current and former members, including Tory MPs, have put their weight behind the RT splinter group, raising over £40,000 to a ‘fighting fund’ to fight ‘anti-voke’ policies. to help and as a forum to ‘discuss concerns about’. The future of charity.

But the National Trust today suggested it is being used as a ‘punchbag’ by RT and his supporters, who they have accused of running an ‘ideological campaign’ against him and giving some anti-Semitism campaigners ‘excessive views’. ‘ It is suggested to keep

He said in a statement: ‘Our national institutions need healthy and respectful debate if they are going to advance and are entrusted to serve future generations, as they served so many people in the past and present. Is.

‘They should not be used as punchbags to divide people, or to be led by extremist views.

‘Our founders set out to protect and promote places of historical interest and natural beauty for the benefit of the nation.

‘It means we are there for everyone. Whether you’re black or white, straight or gay, right-wing or left-wing.

In response to the National Trust’s claim that they have ‘excessive views’, RT told MailOnline that they are simply ‘concerned that the history of properties is not consistently presented in a balanced and accurate manner’.

The culture war intensified today when the owners commissioned a group of ‘anti-awake’ campaigners, breaking up the National Trust. Pictured: Winston Churchill’s Chartwell home in Kent, which was embroiled in controversy when the NT ‘blacklisted’ the property in 2020.

A spokesperson said: ‘We have serious concerns about the impact on the leadership of the National Trust and the quality of the charity’s work and the morale of its staff and volunteers.

‘While there are examples of excellent conservation work, good presentation and happy volunteers, poor management of the landscape, poor relations with tenants and tenant farmers, filthy presentation of properties, there are plenty of examples of frustrated volunteers who have given up and dedicated staff who have It has been unnecessarily redundant.

‘We are concerned that the history of assets is not consistently presented in a balanced and accurate manner.

‘It used to be that one could look to the National Trust for real expertise and excellence, but that belief is gone.

‘At Restore Trust we value the National Trust and want it to return what it does best.’

RT was founded earlier this year after sharp criticism of a 115-page sensational report that ‘blacklisted 93 National Trust estates’ on their alleged links to slavery – including Chartwell in Sir Winston Churchill’s home, Kent. ‘ it was done.

More than 6,000 current and former members have thrown their weight behind RT, with over £40,000 raised in a ‘fighting fund’ to help fight the charity’s ‘anti-voke’ policies. Pictured: Neil Bennett of Restore Trust, which oversees the group’s growing list of donors

The National Trust told The Guardian: ‘We have always debated openly and freely to address differences of opinion, and campaign for pay that candidates with ideologies contrary to our values ​​are new and any Will be related for charity.’

One of six council candidates backed by RT for election this month is Stephen Green, head of a Christian fundamentalist lobbying group that accuses the National Trust of being overly concerned with ‘LGBQT+ issues’, reports Guardian.

Greene, who says he has no ties to RT, said that if elected he would ensure ‘future donors trust their past and invent important details of a fictitious private life. feel safe’.

The Splinter Group is supported by Sir John Hayes and Neil Bennett, head of the Conservative Party’s Common Sense Group, which oversees RT’s ever-growing list of donors.

Mr Bennett said: ‘I agreed to take the role because I, like others, believe that the management of the National Trust has lost its way and failed in its duty to protect Britain’s heritage and present it properly. Happening.’

RT is buoyed by a growing number of lawmakers, campaigners and members of the National Trust who support its goal of bringing the 126-year-old charity back to an ‘apolitical’ state.

In 2017, the charity came under fire after it emerged that the trust had tried to force volunteers at Norfolk Mansion to wear the gay pride rainbow symbol on lanyards and badges marking 50 years since homosexuality was criminalized – A demand was later dropped for charity.

RT envisions its goal as helping to do ‘what it does best’ by restoring the trust’s ‘apolitical ethos’ and maintaining historic buildings, interiors and artifacts, gardens and countryside to the ‘highest standard’ is listed.

In 2017, the charity came under fire after it emerged that the trust had tried to force volunteers at a Norfolk mansion to wear the gay pride rainbow symbol on lanyards and badges marking 50 years since homosexuality was criminalized. [File picture]

It also plans to restore the ‘aesthetic experience’ of the Trust’s historic homes and gardens so that visitors can enjoy them visually, spatially and sometimes peacefully, without intrusive interpretation.

Following the report, critics condemned the decision of the owners of the National Trust to steer the historic charity in a ‘bourgeois’ and ‘politically correct’ direction.

Former Speaker Tim Parker sensationally left just 24 hours later, when furious members launched an ‘anti-confidence motion’ to oust him in the wake of the findings.

At last November’s virtual annual meeting, Mr Parker was slammed for describing Black Lives Matter as a ‘human rights movement with no party-political affiliation’ in a letter to a member.

In the UK, the BLM has demanded a refund to the police following the murder of George Floyd in the US last summer.

Speaking at the meeting, Mr Parker said, ‘we are not members of the BLM’ and added that he hoped that the members of the trust would see that ‘the trust has not in any way become a political organization, which should be recognized by the awakened people or Anything a group has taken over. of that nature.

Mr Parker – who took over the role in 2014 – said the trust was ‘anti-racist and committed to creating a diverse, inclusive and welcoming environment.’