David Morris, MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, said: “I’d love Morecambe to be given royal status. Last night other MPs were offering their local towns for royal status. The war drew its name from the badges of the contending parties, the white rose of York and the red rose of Lancaster. Lancaster and York's long-standing rivalry can trace its origins to the War of the Roses in the 15th century, when Lancashire and Yorkshire tore England apart in a bid to seat their claimants on the throne, leaving tens of thousands dead. “Whilst our focus remains on supporting our residents and delivering crucial services, an application for York to be awarded royal patronage is something that we could explore in the future, if an opportunity was to arise.” To have this formally recognised by the Queen, in addition to her many visits to the city, would be a fitting honour to communities across the city. We are lucky to have an amazing variety of different and distinct communities, as well as world-recognised cultural and historical sites. York City Council said it was open to applying for Royal patronage in the future.Ĭouncillor Keith Aspden said: “York’s proud history, including as the historic home of the Council of the North, is an important part of our legacy and heritage and a source of pride for residents. Rachael Maskell, the Labour MP for York Central, also backed the idea, saying it was “a really interesting suggestion” for a city that is “very much known for its Quaker tradition”.īut asked how she would feel if Lancaster were afforded the status before York, Ms Maskell replied: “Well that simply can't happen can it? I think even the Government will recognise that would be a grave error.” Let’s face it, Lancaster won the War of the Roses, it’s our Royal patronage to have.” Cat Smith, Labour MP for Lancaster and Fleetwood, said she would have “no issue with becoming the Royal City of Lancaster”, particularly given the Queen was styled “the Duke of Lancaster” by Lancastrians.īut asked how she would feel if York were to be given royal patronage ahead of Lancaster, she warned: “I will be outraged, that would be such an injustice. The Local Government Association spokesman which represents town halls said it was “good” that royal patronages “could be being spread across the country”.īy Friday, MPs representing Lancaster and York had become involved. Guy Opperman, the work and pensions minister, then suggested his Hexham seat for royal status. Mr Dowden told a Telegraph fringe meeting that conferring a royal title on a northern town or city was “an excellent idea”. “I could think of nothing better than the Queen honouring places north of Sutton Coldfield with royal status.” ‘Even the Government will recognise that would be a grave error’ Mr Crick’s suggestion swiftly received the backing of Jake Berry, chairman of the Northern Research Group of Tory MPs, who said: “We are hugely proud of the strong royal connections through our history and to the present day. How about some further north, to give northern towns a new boost? Royal Borough of Barrow, anyone?” The idea was first mooted by journalist Michael Crick, who pointed out on social media that “there are nine Royal Boroughs in England, nearly all in leafy places, none further north than Sutton Coldfield. However, it immediately triggered competing bids from MPs representing Lancaster and York – long and well-established rivals – that the title should be conferred on their cities. MPs had hoped that the idea would correct an apparent injustice that there is no town with a “Royal” prefix in northern England. The idea to give royal status to a town in the North of England to coincide with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee was backed by senior Tories including Oliver Dowden, the party chairman, at the party conference. A modern-day War of the Roses has broken out between Lancaster and York after ministers backed calls for a northern town to receive a royal title.
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