Doncaster: Mayor who tried to cut Pride funding voted out of office

Doncaster’s incumbent Mayor, Peter Davies, who previously tried to cut funding for the town’s annual gay pride event, has been voted out of office.

In June 2009, Mr Davies vowed to cut spending on the event, saying: “I don’t think councils should be spending money on them [gays and lesbians] parading through town advertising their sexuality.”

He added: “I have nothing whatsoever against gays and lesbians, what they do in their private lives is absolutely fine.

“But I don’t see why councils should be spending money on that sort of thing.”

Following a radio interview, in which he admitted to having no idea of how much revenue Pride generates for Doncaster, Mr Davies made a U-turn on his plan to cut funding.

It was announced on Friday the 70-year-old Independent had been ousted as mayor by Labour’s Ros Jones.

Mr Davies left the English Democrats earlier this year, claiming there had been a big influx of new members joining from the British National Party.

• Nov 29 2023

56 celebrities you didn’t know are gay, bisexual or lesbian