Tory councillor compares secondary school to Hamas

A Tory councillor has come under fire for comparing a secondary school in Cotham to Hamas.

During an economics and skills policy committee meeting at City Hall on Monday, some members of the public called on council to support an Article 4 Direction at Stoke Lodge.

In 2023, the council granted village green status to Stoke Lodge, a 23-acre plot of land, used as playing fields, that is owned by the council. Nearby Cotham School has leased Stoke Lodge from the council for many years.

After Stoke Lodge was granted village green status, fences around the perimeter of Stoke Lodge were removed, leading to the school appealing the judgment, citing security concerns.

In June, a High Court judge found in the school’s favour, concluding that Stoke Lodge “should never have been registered as a town or village green”.

The school hopes to be able to re-erect fences around the land in the future.

However, locals residents have continued to campaign for the playing fields to remain open to the public.

We Love Stoke Lodge, founded in 2018, is a campaign group who have long been fighting for the area to retain its village green status- photo: Martin Booth

At the city council meeting on Monday afternoon, some residents called for the council to support the application of an Article 4 Direction to Stoke Lodge in order to prevent new fences being erected.

Under Article 4 of the Town and Country Planning Order, a development may not be carried out on a piece of land without prior planning permission.

After a series of statements were given in support of an Article 4 Direction, many of which were critical of Cotham School, councillor Richard Eddy, the conservative councillor for Bishopsworth, gave his view.

He said: “I’ve got no confidence in the commitments of or integrity of Cotham School or its governors. Frankly, I’d prefer to trust the Hamas regime in Gaza though, arguably, they behave like terrorists do.”

This caused considerable controversy during and soon after the meeting.

Immediately after councillor Eddy spoke, councillor Tom Renhard, the Labour and Co-operative councillor for Horfield and leader of the council’s Labour group, said:”Whatever the issues that have gone on and the dispute is about, it’s entirely inappropriate to be comparing a school to a terrorist organisation, Councillor Eddy. So, I’d encourage you to withdraw those remarks. They’re entirely inappropriate.”

When asked by the chair of the committee whether he would like to respond to councillor Renhard, councillor Eddy said: “He can whistle in the wind.”

Councillor Eddy has previously been criticised for views expressed in council meetings, including a meeting in 2022 where he described the Fawcett Society, a women’s rights organisation, as “fascist-like”.

In a joint statement, Sandra Fryer, the chair of governors at Cotham School, and Jo Butler, the school’s headteacher, said: “Cotham School are deeply concerned at the comments councillor Eddy made yesterday at Bristol City Council’s economy and skills policy committee.

“Cotham School comprises some 1700 young people from many different heritages. We have a dedicated leadership and staff team of some 200 people, also from diverse backgrounds.

“We also have a strong group of governors. We have worked on the challenges of this long campaign to take over our fields with integrity and commitment.

“The comments councillor Eddy made are offensive to us, and we ask him to apologise.

“We are proud to serve one of Bristol’s most diverse and vibrant school communities.

“As a School of Sanctuary, Cotham School welcomes students from many backgrounds, including refugee families who have sought safety in our city after experiencing unimaginable hardships.

“Our refugee students, including children from Palestine, Syria, Afghanistan, and other conflict zones, bring remarkable resilience, determination, and cultural richness to our school.

“These young people have often overcome extraordinary challenges to continue their education, and we are honoured to support them in rebuilding their lives and pursuing their dreams.

“Every day, we witness the strength of our diverse community. Students from different cultures, faiths, and backgrounds learn together, support one another, and create lasting friendships that bridge divides.

“This is not just education – it is hope in action.

“The safety and well-being of all our students remains our absolute priority.

“Recent discussions about our playing field security measures reflect our commitment to creating a safe learning environment where every child can thrive, regardless of their background or circumstances.

“We are working with the City Council and hope to announce our plans to get back to using our fields early in the autumn.

“We are grateful to the many Bristol residents, community groups, and local leaders who understand and support our mission.

“Their backing enables us to continue providing excellent education and pastoral care to all our students, including those who need it most.

“Our refugee students are not defined by the conflicts they fled – they are defined by their courage, their potential, and their contributions to our school community. We are privileged to be part of their journey toward a brighter future.

“Bristol is stronger when we stand together in support of all our children.”

Main photo: Bristol City Council

Read next: 

• Judge rules Stoke Lodge ‘should never have been registered as town green’ 
• Councillors challenge council over Stoke Lodge stance
• Outrage and ‘disgust’ at attempt to overturn Stoke Lodge decision