改革英国党控制的桑德兰市议会终止对反种族歧视慈善机构的资金支持

由改革英国党控制的桑德兰市议会上周宣布终止对反种族歧视慈善机构"Show Racism the Red Card"的资金支持。1该慈善机构已获得该市议会连续30年的资金支持，桑德兰是首个向其提供资金的地方当局。1这一决定引发强烈批评，工党议员布丽姬特·菲利普森将其描述为"误导、残忍且不得民众支持"。1

慈善机构负责人加里·贝内特表示对这一决定感到"震惊和失望"，指出该机构并非政治性组织："我们不是政治慈善机构——他们试图这样说，但我们不是。"1他强调这一决定将立即影响该机构在学校、监狱和工作场所的教育活动。1

与此同时，改革英国党还因在布拉德福德的立场引发关注。1该党布拉德福德议员提议在10月下次会议上提交动议，退出"本地圣地机制"。1工党领导人伊姆兰·汗批评这是"反向表态"，称其将损害社区融合并促进分裂。1这些举措发生在2024年英国多座城市包括桑德兰发生种族仇恨暴乱之后。1

A council controlled by Reform UK in Sunderland has announced the termination of three decades of funding for Show Racism the Red Card, an anti-racism charity 1. The decision came following Reform UK's takeover of Sunderland council in May, with the announcement made public last week 1.

The charity had received support from Sunderland council for 30 years and was the first local authority to provide such funding 1. Gary Bennett, the charity's leader, expressed shock at the move, stating: "We're not a political charity – they're trying to say we are but we're not" 1. He warned that the funding cut would immediately impact the organization's educational activities in schools, prisons, and workplaces 1.

The decision has drawn sharp criticism from political opponents. Labour MP Bridget Phillipson described the council's action as "misguided, cruel and in no way backed by the people of Sunderland" 1. Labour leader Imran Khan characterized Reform UK's approach as "vice signalling," arguing it will damage integration and promote division 1. Reform UK councillors in Bradford have also proposed withdrawing from the Local Authority of Sanctuary scheme, with the proposal scheduled for an October meeting, raising further concerns about exclusion of migrant communities 1. These moves occur against the backdrop of race-related riots that affected multiple UK cities, including Sunderland, during 2024 1.