Bradshaw: Tories will ruin the renaissance

Tories ‘will kill culture’

Tories ‘will kill culture’

By Ian Dunt

The Tories will destroy Britain’s ‘cultural renaissance’ if they attain power, the media and sports secretary will say next week.

In a keynote speech to pressure group Progress next Monday, Ben Bradshaw will argue that the Conservatives view Britain’s creative industries as a “luxury add-on” rather than a central part of Britain’s “wellbeing as a nation”.

Mr Bradshaw will stress the Tory temptation to interfere with cultural institutions, citing Boris Johnson’s attempt to appoint a “political crony” to the head of the London Arts Council and Tory threats to the independence of the BBC.

He will also make the case for active government investment in skills and talent.