Westminster Council is set to vote next week on whether to allow a 9ft bronze statue of Ronald Reagan to be erected, tonight’s London Lite is reporting. One hurdle is that in granting permission the council would have to ignore its own rule on not permitting memorials to public figures until 10 years after their death, which derailed a previous attempt in 2008. Reagan died in 2004.
If successful, the statue would be placed outside the US Embassy in Grosvenor Square, and would move in five year time with the Embassy, which is to relocate to Battersea.
Poland has already erected a statue in thanks to Reagan, and another is due to be unveiled at the US Capitol this summer.
TYC’s View: A permenant monument to the Gipper in London is long overdue. Reagan’s supreme leadership, in partnership with Thatcher, secured liberty and freedom for countless millions, including Britons. It might also make the US Embassy a focus for conservative activists, not just liberal protestors with efigies and flags to burn. Who do we lobby in support of erecting this statue?
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May 16, 2009 at 1:22 am
Jo
That is awesome to hear! I hope it’s a successful vote because if anyone deserved a statue dedicated to them, it’s definitely Reagan.
May 16, 2009 at 9:46 am
Mark Clarke
If I am elected in Tooting, I would support a campaign to get a statue of Ronald Reagan outside the new US embassy in Wandsworth (Tooting is in Wandsworth). Ronald was a great man, who made the world a safer and a more free place.
May 16, 2009 at 12:16 pm
Edward Hallam
That’s fantastic to hear, Mark – let’s hope you get in! E.
May 22, 2009 at 12:11 am
David Boothroyd
You may be interested to know that the statue was given planning permission, with all four committee members supporting it; indeed it was granted permanent planning permission instead of the five year temporary permission asked for.
– Cllr David Boothroyd (Westbourne Ward, Labour)
May 22, 2009 at 9:32 am
Matt
Westminster City Council granted planning permission for the sculpture to be erected outside the US embassy in Grosvenor Square.
http://www.24dash.com/news/Local_Government/2009-05-22-Westminster-Council-backs-plans-for-Ronald-Reagan-statue-in-central-London
May 22, 2009 at 12:26 pm
Westminster Council approves Reagan statue «
[...] Council | by Edward Hallam London is to have its memorial to freedom after Westminster council granted full planning permission for a statue of Ronald Reagan outside the US Embassy in Grosvenor [...]