Reform announces intentions to scrap equality, diversity and inclusivity policies at Staffordshire County Council following the removal of Pride displays at libraries

Staffordshire County Council’s leadership has recently announced its concerning intentions to scrap equality, diversity and inclusivity ("EDI") policies. The position paper entitled ‘Equality Before the Council’ states:

‘‘Equality, Diversity and Inclusion had been allowed to take root across Staffordshire County Council. In areas from recruitment and how Council employees are trained all the way to the public services we deliver and how taxpayer money is spent, the Council moved away from a proper understanding of equality – equality before the law – in favour of the contested political ideology of EDI.”

The five principles of the paper are identified as:

1. ‘Formal Equality Before the Law’
2. ‘Individual Dignity and Merit’
3. ‘Proportionality, Legal Compliance and Common Sense’
4. ‘Rejection of Compelled Conformity’
5. ‘Transparency and Public Trust’

The position paper is noted to not be a council policy document, decision paper or legal paper. However, it raises concerns as to the legality of future policy created by Staffordshire County Council to roll back on current EDI initiatives, specifically if they are compatible with the council’s Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) under s.149 Equality Act 2010.

In accordance with the PSED, public bodies, and other bodies who are exercising public functions, must have due regard to the need to:

• eliminate conduct that is prohibited by or under the Equality Act 2010, including discrimination, harassment and victimisation 
• advance equality of opportunity between people who share a relevant protected characteristic and those who do not share it, and
• foster good relations between people who share a relevant protected characteristic and those who do not share it.

The PSED notes that fostering good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it includes having due regard to the need to (a) tackle prejudice and (b) promote understanding.

The PSED also states that compliance with the duties in the PSED may involve treating some persons more favourably than others, without permitting conduct that would otherwise be prohibited by or under the Equality Act 2010.

The position paper appears to be a continuation of recent Staffordshire County Council policy which has resulted in the removal of Pride displays and events from Staffordshire libraries.

The policy was first confirmed by Staffordshire County Council Leader, Martin Murray on 15 June 2026 after an internal email was leaked which stated that Pride and LGBTQ+ should not be celebrated ‘in any form’. The email requested staff to remove any Pride displays already in libraries ‘immediately’ and that no Pride content should be shared on social media, nor should any events or activities with a Pride theme be delivered.

Counsellor Murray confirmed that the removal of displays was part of the Council’s new ‘Libraries Strategy 2026 – 2028’ and stated via social media that:

"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’ as local libraries are ‘not there to promote or privilege particular groups, causes or identities."

Counsellor Murray’s statement appears to be at odds with the content of the policy, which highlights its aims of ‘fostering inclusivity and community engagement through events and activities and the resources available’ and ‘enabling people from diverse backgrounds to feel valued and supported by providing access to resources and services that promote equality and social cohesion’.

If you are concerned about the actions of your local council, you can contact Leigh Day human rights lawyers Jessica Harrison or Ellie Fawcett.