Letter to Editor: How do Dan Swords and local Conservatives feel about “Pride ban”

Your Say / Fri 5th Jun 2026 at 09:21am

Dear Editor,

I AM sure many people in Harlow are concerned by Essex County Council’s decision regarding the advertising of Pride events in libraries.

Pride is about visibility, inclusion, equality, and making people feel welcome in their own community. Libraries should be places where everyone feels represented and supported — not places where LGBTQ+ events are hidden away or treated differently.

I would like to ask the Leader of Harlow Council, Councillor Dan Swords, whether he agrees with Essex County Council’s decision to ban the advertising of Pride events in libraries, or whether he opposes it. If he disagrees with the decision, what is he doing to challenge it and support inclusion in Essex?

I would also like to ask Harlow’s five Conservative county councillors: do you support the advertising of Pride events in Essex libraries, and what action are you taking to try to get this decision reversed?

Silence on equality issues speaks volumes. Residents deserve clear answers.

Lanie Shears

2 Comments for Letter to Editor: How do Dan Swords and local Conservatives feel about “Pride ban”:

Mike Steward

2026-06-05 09:54:14

Agreed on this. It’s a disgraceful decision from Essex County Council. Reform doing what it does best, creating a society which is against women, against lgbtq people and against equality.

Seamus

2026-06-05 11:43:07

This is nonsense of course. and another fine example of double standards and selective faux outrage of the left. Mike/Lanie, can you tell me the last time you protested against a mosque's action to not promote LGBTQA+ events and inequality in regards to women? I use a Mosques position purely to show the double standards from those within the left. What the county council has actually done has NOT removed access to the rainbow community to the county's library nor has NOT banned rainbow content within its reading lists. It has started to review the Libraries focus in the promotion within libraries, of ALL EXTERNAL events. Laine given your bold statement of "Silence on equality issues speaks volumes. Residents deserve clear answers." I feel sure you will want to not be silent but will give clear answers. I thank you for your input.