THE leader of Staffordshire County Council has hit back at criticism over a decision to prevent Pride displays in local libraries.
Labour MPs have written to the authority over the decision, while the Green Party and the Liberal Democrats have also spoken out over the move.
Organisers of Lichfield Pride have also warned about the impact preventing such displays to mark Pride Month could have.
A spokesperson said:
"Lichfield Pride is deeply concerned by proposals that could restrict libraries and public spaces from displaying materials that celebrate and recognise LGBTQ+ communities and other minority groups during awareness and heritage months.
"Libraries are places of learning, understanding and discovery. Displays recognising Pride Month, LGBTQ+ History Month, Black History Month, Disability History Month and other awareness campaigns are not about promoting an agenda – they are about visibility, education and ensuring everyone feels seen and valued.
"For many LGBTQ+ people, particularly young people, seeing themselves represented in public spaces can be incredibly important. It sends a powerful message that they are welcome, they belong and they matter."
But Cllr Martin Murray, Reform UK leader of Staffordshire County Council, said much of the discussion around the decision to "no longer use taxpayer-funded resources, sites and communications channels to promote any particular group, cause or identity" had been wide of the mark.
He said:
"There has been a lot of commentary and, unfortunately, quite some politicisation about Staffordshire libraries in recent days.
"Let me first make one point very clear – no books have been removed from library shelves, no authors have been pulled from the catalogue and no titles have been placed off-limits.
"Every resident of this county can still walk into their library, borrow what they want, reserve what they want, request what they want, exactly as before.
"Anyone saying otherwise is not telling you the truth.
"Our new Staffordshire County Council Libraries Strategy 2026-2028 will focus on core services and will no longer use taxpayer-funded resources, sites and communications channels to promote any particular group, cause or identity.
"That applies consistently to every group and every cause.
"Your library services belong to everyone in Staffordshire equally. They are not there to promote or privilege particular groups, causes or identities, however well-intentioned. As such, Pride events will no longer be promoted in our public libraries."
Cllr Murray said that individuals, charities, businesses and community organisations would still be permitted to "organise and promote any lawful cause they choose".
He added:
"We are not seeking to prevent that. However, Staffordshire's public resources will no longer be used to promote any cause or campaign in a way that prevents us from treating every resident equally, without fear or favour.
"I will be very clear – this is not about silencing any group of people. It is about reasonable limits to make sure publicly funded services remain balanced, fair and suitable for all users, at all times, as well as a good use of taxpayers' money.
"Our libraries exist for everyone in Staffordshire."
