Councils will ignore pressure over the use of Christmas word

LUI STRACCIA

Councils say they won’t bow to demands from the English Defence League over the use of the word ‘Christmas’ in their celebrations.

In a letter to Luton Borough and Central Bedfordshire Councils, the EDL promises a ‘visit’ to the areas if it resorts to ‘politically correct appeasement’ in its Yuletide activities.

It also points out the average cost to a local authority when the EDL demonstrates is £500,000 – an amount it says ‘it is hoped will be avoided by your council’.

The EDL tells councils to keep the word ‘Christ in Christmas and do not lose the meaning of Christmas by changing it to Winter Festival’.

A Luton Town Hall spokesman said: “We have received a letter from the EDL. But councils supposedly avoiding the word Christmas is an old chestnut which crops up every year.

“We have always celebrated Christmas here in Luton and we always will.”

Central Bedfordshire Council confirmed it too had received a similar request from the EDL – but would not be responding.

Deputy leader Richard Stay said: “This issue has never been considered by the council, regardless of any external pressure we may have received, and so the use of the term ‘Christmas’ will remain.

“Christmas is and remains an important Christian event, which occurs on an annual basis. We serve a diverse population and refer to all religious festivals without prejudice in our communications.

“For this reason we did not think that the EDL request warranted a response.” An EDL spokesman said: “We can confirm that they did send out a letter requesting that all councils keep the word Christmas.

“The response has been very favourable with the majority of responses, to date, confirming that they will keep the word Christmas in their celebrations.”