Intolerance that’s lost the faith of the nation

Aug 7, 2017 by

by Harry Mount, Mailonline:

Earlier this year, I gave a public lecture entitled ‘Betrayal of Trust: how the National Trust is Losing its Way’. I have been visiting National Trust properties across the UK for 40 years – yes, even as a toddler on family days out – and I weep for its decline.

An organisation that was once the pride of Britain has been hijacked by a lethal combination of catastrophic dumbing down, social engineering, rampant politicisation and intolerance of opposing views under its last two director generals, former civil servants Dame Fiona Reynolds and Dame Helen Ghosh.

During their tenures, the Trust has sacrificed its original aims on the altar of political correctness and as a result we – and future generations – are all losers.

The latest furore is over an attempt to force staff at Felbrigg Hall in Norfolk to wear ‘rainbow’ ID badges to mark 50 years since the decriminalisation of homosexuality. The Trust’s Prejudice and Pride campaign is yet one more example of the mindset at the top of the organisation that is alienating members and the volunteers who are the Trust’s lifeblood.

When 50 of the hall’s 350 volunteers refused to wear the badges – not because they were homophobic but because they felt that being forced to wear badges which had nothing to do with their role infringed their rights – they were banished to backroom jobs, away from view. As one volunteer told the Mail, ‘visitors’ sexual preference has never been an issue’ among those who come to view the Hall and enjoy its grounds. Tory MP Andrew Bridgen is spot on when he says it’s ‘virtue signalling’ gone mad.

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