Express & Star

Should Enoch Powell have a blue plaque in Wolverhampton?

Around two thirds of Express & Star readers have backed plans for a blue plaque to commemorate Enoch Powell in Wolverhampton.

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Enoch Powell

The city's Civic and Historical Society is set to consider an application for the plaque to recognise the impact the former Wolverhampton South West MP had on the city.

The society confirmed to the Express & Star it received an application for the plaque, which would commemorate the life of the former MP, renowned for his Rivers of Blood speech.

It is on a list of around 35 potential plaques and will be discussed by the society’s six-strong panel once the unnamed applicant has raised the £1,000 necessary to fund its creation.

Express & Star readers were asked if the former MP should get a plaque, and the majority so far have said he should.

Vote in the poll here:

After 36 hours, 65 per cent said they were in favour of the plaque, while 35 per cent were against it.

More than 3,000 people have had their say when asked if Powell should get a blue plaque.

Andy Rand wrote: "Yes. It's an historical reference point and encourages people to learn about the past."

Ray Southam added: "Of course, he is part of history."

Meanwhile Beverley Momenabadi wrote: "Absolutely not – and how long do we think the plaque would last if there was one?!"

And Brenda Minshull added: "In this day and age, perhaps not."

Tory MP Powell was an MP in the city for 24 years and rose to notoriety when he made the Rivers of Blood speech in 1968, in which he criticised mass immigration to Britain.

The possibility of a plaque for Powell was discussed at Saturday’s E&S debate on the Rivers of Blood speech.

Former Wolverhampton South West Conservative MP Paul Uppal, said there should be no plaque to honour Powell.

“We have moved on,” he said.