Battle for the National Trust How 'anti-woke' culture warriors met their match

"There was a barrage of emails, but the first one just said in the title: 'You're cooked.' And it went on from there," recalls the historian, who in 2020 had just published a landmark report into the colonial history behind some National Trust properties.
The email's author, she adds, seemingly shared the views of prominent Conservative MPs such as Jacob Rees-Mogg, who accused Fowler and the trust of "denigrating" British history by detailing the connections to slavery of 93 historic places in the charity's care. Looking back, Fowler believes "heated rhetoric" from politicians and others encouraged anger and even death threats against her and the trust's director general, Hilary McGrady.
An intervention by leading historical bodies took some of the heat out of the debate over perceived "wokeness" and headed off threats of interference by the Conservative government.
But the actions of the National Trust itself - alongside supporters including a slew of keyboard warriors - blunted the impact of the culture war the charity became caught up in. Four years on, the trust has largely defeated repeated attempts to elect opponents to its council, which appoints board members - though the latest is coming up this week.
Treasured institution Europe's biggest conservation charity, with more than 5 million members, the trust is considered by many to be a treasured institution.
Founded 129 years ago and later given statutory powers as foremost guardian of Britain's historic properties and countryside, faultlines have always run through the body - from tussles over how to respond to the postwar growth of mass recreation to the aftermath of the 2004 ban on foxhunting.
In recent years an insurgent group called Restore Trust, as well as media and Conservative figures, began to oppose some of its decisions - especially around efforts to address links to slavery and Britain's colonial past.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der October 28, 2024-Ausgabe von The Guardian.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 9.500 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der October 28, 2024-Ausgabe von The Guardian.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 9.500 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden

Trump Will Decide on Iran Attack 'Within Two Weeks'
Donald Trump set a two-week deadline yesterday to decide whether the US will join Israel's war with Iran, allowing time for a negotiated end to the conflict, the White House said.

'I forgot everyone' Ukrainian soldier tells of three years in Russian prison
Despite all they have endured, it does not take much to draw shy smiles from Diana Shikot, 24, and Dmytro Chorny, 23.

From Spree to Seine Wild swimmers take the plunge in urban European rivers
The last time there was full-scale river swimming in Berlin's city centre, before access was outlawed a century ago, there were probably fewer inflatable unicorns and fluorescent pool noodles.

They're arch-terrorists' Netanyahu invokes old debts to justify new war
It was in Beersheba, about 1,000km and 2,500 years from Babylon, that Benjamin Netanyahu suggested yesterday that the time had come for the Jews to repay their ancient debt to Cyrus the Great and bring liberation to Iran.
How company quietly took more of your fare and workers' earnings with new algorithm
Drivers described their days as being controlled by sophisticated computer code which left them unclear how much Uber would take

‘We must be smarter’ Stokes calls on England to learn from weaknesses
As India Test series begins, captain reveals his team are working on new approach for when they are 'up against wall
UK 'behind the curve' on assisted dying, says MP
The UK is \"behind the curve\" on assisted dying among progressive nations, the bill's sponsor, Kim Leadbeater, has said before one of the most consequential votes for social change in England and Wales.

'Normal' Palmer in control from No 10
Modest 23-year-old still likes PlayStation and has taken Hazard's old shirt as Chelsea prepare for Flamengo
Maresca Has Not Spoken to Mudryk About Doping Charge
Enzo Maresca has said he has not spoken to Mykhailo Mudryk since the Football Association announced on Wednesday that the Chelsea winger has been charged with doping offences.
New law requires Rio hospitals to display anti-abortion signs
A law has just come into force in Rio de Janeiro requiring all public hospitals and clinics run by the municipal government to display anti-abortion signs with messages such as: \"Did you know that the unborn child is discarded as hospital waste?\"