The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government introduces new laws to emphasise the ‘retain and explain’ approach to contested heritage. Planning permission is now required for the removal of all statues, plaques, memorials, and monuments, whether listed or not, with the Secretary of State having the option to ‘call in’ any decisions they disagree with as the final decision-maker.

This legislation is co-signed by Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick and Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden, who speak about a ‘duty to preserve our culture and heritage for future generations’ instead of ‘tearing it down’. Jenrick confirms these alterations in a written statement to the House of Commons the next morning, restating that the ‘knee-jerk removal of statues does harm rather than good’.