In his blog of today, Ben Duncan, Green Councillor and cabinet member for Communities, Equalities & Public Protection on Brighton & Hove City Council has written about a previous March for England held in Brighton and his concerns about the way in which the police will deal with the march planned for Sunday 22nd April this year. According to subsequent correspondence one of the reasons he has written the blog is this report by Keith PP.

Like Ben I personally deplore the views that I understand are held by the organisations behind the March for England. Also like Ben I have in the last few days had a chance to meet with senior officers at Sussex Police to discuss with them how the March and any counter demonstration will be policed. In my case the meeting included several officers from Brighton Council and also the leader of Ben’s party. The meeting was far-ranging and we did discuss a tactic which Ben and Keith refer to as kettling. I would commend Ben to speak to Bill Randall to be briefed on the outcome of that meeting as some of Ben’s questions may now have been answered.

The events on Sunday like those from last year are bound to lead to differences of perception by many of those involved and one of my concerns with Ben’s blog is that he appears to want to avoid certain perceptions being held. This seems to me to be as fruitless as wanting to prevent those who will participate in Sundays events from coming with formed ideas about issues of nationhood. What is vital is that the Police and the Council, for both of which Ben is a legally responsible agent (as a member of the existing Police Authority, Ben is responsible for the strategic actions of the police) are fair and balanced in all they do and of course legally justified. I know that this is the intention of the Police and Council based on my recent meeting.

The actions of the previous event were very difficult for those who opposed the March for England. I know this to be the case because people close to me were involved. I also know that some of the planning by the police was frustrated by the unwillingness of many of the members of this counter demonstration to develop a plan and to cooperate with the police in any way. In part this led to a more robust response on the day. This year there has been even more energy expended by the Police to have dialogue with those participating in this years anticipated counter demonstration and this opportunity will remain open up to and throughout the events of the day.

My personal view is that those who seek to be legally responsible for organisations such as Councils, Police Forces, Charities and Businesses should predominantly utilise the internal mechanisms to determine actions and then support the agency in its work, only challenging the organisation publicly where their conscience would leave them feeling that they have no other option (than to step down altogether). This is in part to show their capacity to work in a collaborative manner, and also to ensure that the officers of the organisation do not feel undermined by carrying out actions which have been directed by people who are now having second thoughts but unwilling to go through normal processes.

Ben’s blog is a personal document, yet it refers in several places to his official roles and as such potentially creates confusion to some of its readers. I do not believe that Ben is  in any way seeking to undermine the officers of Sussex Police, yet my concern is that is the effect of his blog. I also believe that Ben wants to run Brighton & Hove Council in the fairest possible way. However some of the comments in his blog suggest that he is only willing to provide access to the city by people whose views he approves of. This seems to me to be a mistake and potentially places officers of the Council in a difficult position as they are torn between the law and the substance of Ben’s comments.

As I have already stated, based on my own understanding of their views,  I do not in any way agree with those who are organising March for England. However unless they are unlawful in their actions they are entitled to hold their event and as a resident of Brighton I would like them to behave as well as all other responsible visitors to our wonderful city. I would however point out that we are an open and inclusive city and no marches or processions should presume to try to change that.