Culture Secretary Karen Bradley has dispelled fears she was planning on pulling Britain out of the competition because of Brexit.
Leeds City Council
Fears that the Government may pull out of European Capital of Culture 2023 following the Brexit vote were dispelled today when the DCMS formally launched its competition for the title.
The news will come as a relief to officials in Leeds, Dundee and Milton Keynes, who have all budgeted significant funds for their city’s bids already. Almost £550,000 has been invested in Leeds so far.
It comes a day after arts leaders in Leeds penned an open letter to Culture Secretary Karen Bradley, urging her to launch the competition.
According to the Sunday Telegraph, Bradley previously informed cabinet ministers that she was considering pulling Britain out of the competition, but today she sang a different tune.
“Celebrating the cultural heritage and innovation in Britain’s cities is part of our plan for an outward-looking, globally-minded and dynamic country,” she said.
“The United Kingdom is leaving the European Union, but we are not leaving Europe. We want that relationship to reflect the kind of mature, cooperative relationship that close friends and allies enjoy.”
Leader of Leeds City Council Councillor Judith Blake said: “Leeds has been ready to bid since 2014 and we are delighted that today the Department for Culture Media and Sport has recognised the continued benefits of the competition to the UK economy and to cities like Leeds.”
“In Leeds we believe in a future where our culture in all its forms is valued and experienced by the broadest set of people, and for it to be central to the city’s identity and to its future – both economically and socially,” she added.
Leader of Dundee City Council, Councillor Ken Guild, also welcomed the launch. “We are delighted to hear this news and we can now take forward our exciting proposals for the city,” he said.
The competition has two selection phases and will last two years, with the winning city announced by the end of 2018.
The last UK city to hold the title was Liverpool in 2008. Researchers found the competition generated £750m for the city.
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