The Barnsley Council chamber was the scene of a fractious debate on 16 July after a Labour motion asking councillors to recommit to the borough's “No Place for Hate” pledge failed to secure support.
Background and the motion
Introduced in 2022 and previously signed by major party leaders and the Mayor, the pledge declares that abuse and discrimination, whether online or offline, are unacceptable. On 16 July, the Labour group brought the issue back to the council in a motion led by its leader, Cllr James Higginbottom, who urged members to publicly affirm that Barnsley is a place without hatred.
Division over wording and free speech
Council leader Cllr Brown expressed concerns that the motion was insufficiently specific and argued it could be used to limit legitimate debate. He urged colleagues to oppose it and indicated the administration would present an alternative set of proposals focused on a balance of free speech and resident safety.
“It is being used elsewhere to suppress free speech and legitimate debate,” Cllr Brown said.
Independent councillor Cllr Andy Wray attempted to calm tensions, saying he could not see a problem with the phrase “No Place for Hate” but respected the leader’s intention to produce a revised pledge.
- The motion was proposed by Labour leader Cllr James Higginbottom.
- Cllr Brown described the motion as “too vague” and opposed it.
- All Reform councillors voted against the motion, causing it to fail.
Local repercussions
The vote highlights a clear split on Barnsley Council over how to address harassment and discrimination while safeguarding free expression. For residents and councillors who have faced abuse, the rejection will be disheartening; for others, it raises concerns about potential restrictions on legitimate political debate. The administration’s promise to bring forward an alternative means further proposals will be scrutinised for the specific measures they contain and how they will be enforced.
| Item | Outcome |
|---|---|
| ‘No Place for Hate’ motion | Rejected |
| Reform councillors' vote | All voted against |
Councillors will now await the administration’s revised proposals, which organisers say will focus on clearer definitions and mechanisms aimed at protecting both safety and civil liberties across the borough.
