Tory politician stripped of power after claiming LGBT people are ‘misguided by a powerful ideology’
Tory politician Mary Douglas will no longer be a portfolio holder for Wiltshire council.
A Tory politician in Wiltshire who refused to help fund a Pride parade with a public grant and said that LGBT+ people were “misguided by a powerful ideology” has been stripped of one of her key roles.
According to Salisbury Journal, councillor Mary Douglas was removed from the portfolio for social mobility and skills on Tuesday, November 12, “with immediate effect”, however she will remain a councillor in Wiltshire.
Leader of the council Philip Whitehead told the publication: “I have taken the decision to remove councillor Mary Douglas as portfolio holder for social mobility and skills. I would like to thank her for her work during her time as portfolio holder.
Last week the Tory politician rejected a motion to give a £1,000 grant towards Salisbury Pride parade, and said: “I cannot support this.”
She continued: “I am not saying I do not accept or respect or love people who identify as LGBTQ+, because I do.
“I support completely their right to make choices, however I do not support those choices themselves, nor the ideology and world view they represent.
“These are wonderful people, well-meaning and sincere, but misguided by a powerful ideology.
“I do not want to be a part of promoting this, and I want to be clear this is not just my view, I represent a large number of people, some who are afraid to say something.”
Luckily she was outvoted and Salisbury Pride received its grant anyway. The festival will take place next year on June 13.
After her comments, Salisbury City Council member Caroline Corbin described Douglas as “no longer fit for office”.
