Rushmoor has a proud history as a place that has welcomed people from many backgrounds to make this their home. People who came from all corners of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth to Aldershot to serve in the British Army, those who came to work in the Royal Aircraft Establishment in Farnborough, and more recently Gurkha veterans and their families, skilled engineers in our growing technology businesses, nurses, doctors, care workers – all playing their part in our community and making our borough a more inclusive, tolerant, richer place.
Building on the foundation of our heritage, as the Home of the British Army and the birthplace of aviation in this country, we have built the vibrant and diverse communities we live in today. We know that our strength lies in unity, inclusion, and solidarity.
Sadly, there have been recent incidents where people in our towns have been abused or attacked simply based on the colour of their skin or assumptions about where they were born, and we have seen abhorrent racist graffiti appear in public places. Residents have written to myself and other councillors to tell us that they feel less safe in our towns as a result of what they have seen and heard.
The tragic events in Manchester last week, alongside attacks on worshippers at mosques in other parts of the country, are a stark reminder of the results of racial hatred. We stand with the victims and their families, and all those who feel oppressed or intimidated because of their beliefs, colour or culture.
At this time I ask that we all support our friends, neighbours and colleagues. We have a duty to call out and oppose racism wherever and whenever it is found, and we should all commit to redouble our efforts to ensure that Rushmoor remains a welcoming, inclusive, tolerant borough.
As Leader of the Council I am clear that racism in any form has no place in our borough. We stand together for every community, and we are committed to ensuring that all our colleagues, residents and visitors feel safe, respected, and valued.
This council is committed to:
- Support our colleagues and communities to report and respond to hate crime, and ensure people know how to access the right support
- Amplify positive stories of Rushmoor’s commitment to equity, inclusion, and belonging
- Work collectively to create safe spaces for dialogue, understanding, and action
- Hold ourselves accountable to an ambition of becoming an anti-racist borough
This is not just about responding to current challenges. It is about laying stronger foundations for the future: a borough where no one is left behind, and where dignity, respect, and fairness are lived values for everyone.
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