Black Country Party wins fight over chains in logo after 'slavery' concerns

The Electoral Commission had raised concerns over imagery in the Black Country Party’s badge, stating voters could find the chains ‘offensive’ as they had connotations of slavery.

It came after Wolverhampton South West Labour MP Eleanor Smith sparked a row last year by claiming that chains in the Black Country flag, designed by schoolgirl Gracie Sheppard, had ‘racist connotations’.

The commission carried out a review into the party’s emblem – which features a black map of the region surrounded by red chains – and decided to give it the green light.

Party members say the images represent the Black Country’s industrial past.

In an email outlining its concerns, the Electoral Commission told the Black Country Party: “We are required to form an opinion whether or not proposed emblems are obscene or offensive.

“A point was raised by the Approvals Board during the assessment process the proposed emblem could invoke imagery of the slave trade which a voter could find offensive. We shall consider this point further and notify you of our final decision with respect to this emblem in due course.”

The commission also provided the party with a newspaper article which outlined Ms Smith’s concerns about the Black Country flag. Its board was worried that the use of the chains in the party’s logo could cause similar problems.

However the Black Country Party responded by outlining how the chains are a key image in the Black Country’s industrial history. A spokesman told the commission: “The Black Country folk are proud of their heritage and this is the reason behind the area’s name, the flag and Black Country Day. We understand one of the issues that you have raised is the slave chain, but the slaves chains were a small area of what the area produced, so the flag and the logo shouldn’t just be highlighted for this.

“Chains were used for anchors, for which the anchor and chains for the Titanic and Olympic (cruise-liners) were manufactured in the Black Country. This is another reason we are proud of our industry.” After careful consideration the commission accepted the Black Country Party’s logo.

It is made up of the silhouette of the Black Country and four chains – each one representing one of the regions boroughs: Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton. The Black Country Party’s registration to become a political party was accepted by the commission – an independent political party regulator – on October 30.

However the commission mulled over its badge for another two weeks. Former UKIP councillor Stuart Henley, who is the leader of the party which has no council or Parliament seats, said: “It is great that the electoral commission has reviewed the reality about our logo and why the chain and steel industry is important to the people of the Black Country and accepted the party logo design. We understand that chains were used in the slavery industry but that is history and we need to remember that even if we disagree with what went on, its time we moved on and learnt from history. Our logo is a four-link chain to represent the four boroughs we will be working in and representing - Dudley Borough, Walsall, Wolverhampton and Sandwell.”

“It is great news that the electoral commission had seen the reason behind the logo that we put forward and accepted the design. Black Country folk are proud of their heritage and the Black Country Flag is a great design and has helped promote the Black Country and bring all together in celebration each year for the Black Country Festival. The party is here for all the Black Country, to represent the area locally without interference from a national party and their national policies that do not work in all areas of the country.”