‘Archaic and primitive’: Labour councillor on why he won’t be observing king’s Preston visit
Labour councillor Martyn Rawlinson said he would not be observing the king’s visit on Monday.
King Charles will make a special royal visit to Preston next week - but for one Labour councillor, it’s all set to be business as usual.
On Monday, members of Preston City Council will hold a civic reception to officially welcome King Charles to the city, just two days after his 78th birthday.
The event will include councillors from across Preston - though one has already confirmed he will not be among them.
Cllr Martyn Rawlinson, representing Fishwick and Frenchwood, said he has no plans to attend the king’s visit next week.
In a statement issued last night (November 12), he said he was declining to join on account of not being a royalist.
“I have been invited to the civic reception with King Charles,” he said. “I will not be attending.
“I am not a royalist, the idea that privilege is genetic is archaic and primitive.
“The vast inherited wealth which in reality belongs to us all, is obscene.
“I am not the kind of lefty that wants to destroy everything, our history, heritage and culture should be looked after, for everyone, not an elite few.
“It will be a lovely occasion for those everyday folk that attend and I hope they enjoy it - except for those Reform councillors who claim to be anti-establishment but will be all over this like the fake fawning fools that they are.
“We see you.”
In a statement issued to the Lancashire Post, the leader of Preston’s Reform party Cllr Stephen Thompson said: “Reform councillors have not been invited to the civic reception for the king’s visit.
“The king will be in Preston to meet community and faith groups. Most Reform councillors will be at work anyway and this isn’t a political issue. We hope the king has a nice day.
“It’s not unusual for Cllr Rawlinson to misunderstand Reform options or priorities.”
On Monday, King Charles will take a private tour of The Harris Museum to take in the city’s cultural heritage, including the Preston North End Football Club exhibit and the UK’s longest Foucault pendulum.
From there, he’ll be making a visit to the Flag Market, where he’ll be joined by local charities, community groups, and faith leaders while meeting members of the public.
A special visit to Preston’s very own Spud Bros van is also rumoured to be on the king’s ‘to do’ list.
It will be the first time His Majesty has visited Preston since becoming king, though the city has already played host to a number of royal characters over the years.
In 1993, Preston welcomed ‘the people’s princess’ Diana to open an MRI scanner for Royal Preston Hospital.
And only a few months ago, King Charles made a special visit to Butlers Dairy, in Inglewhite, to see inside their newly-opened ‘cheese campus’.
Speaking to the Lancashire Post, Cllr Rawlinson said that his decision not to attend the king’s visit was made on a personal basis - but that he still believes the visit will be beneficial to the city.
“I think it will be nice for Preston,” he said. “I believe there’s lots of people who are active in the community with groups and charities, so it would be great for them to meet the king and get some recognition for what they do.
“Anything that raises Preston’s profile is good for business and good for community groups, and the council I suppose. It’s a very high profile visit.
“What I said is basically it. I’m not making a big fuss about it, it’s just not for me - it’s a personal choice.
“I don’t believe anyone should have more wealth than they could ever need, and inherited power is ridiculous in this day and age.
“We live in a constitutional monarchy, [and] lots of people support that.
“I’m not making a big stand, it’s just not for me. It’s not my belief. I’m a socialist, and I think everyone should get a fair share of the resources.”