Freedom of Derby: Margaret Beckett could join list of famous names to receive accolade

Dame Margaret Beckett could receive the Freedom of Derby by the city council after dedicating nearly 40 years of her life to serving people in the Derby South constituency as their local MP.

She is going to stand down as an MP at the next General Election which is due to take place next year.

A lively debate was heard at a Derby City Council meeting on Wednesday night after the authority’s leader, Councillor Baggy Shanker, led the calls to reward the Labour politician with the ultimate city honour.

The motion passed by 23 votes to 19 with four councillors abstaining.

It means that should another vote be passed at a specially arranged extraordinary meeting sometime in the future, Dame Beckett will be awarded the Freedom of Derby

Cllr Shanker said: “Margaret has been recognised at the highest level locally, nationally and internationally. 

“It is fitting for Margaret to receive Freedom of the City.”

What is the Freedom of Derby?

The Freedom of Derby is the highest honour that can be awarded to someone or an organisation by the council.

It shows gratitude for their services to the city.

The council votes on whether to award it and if a majority is reached then the accolade will be awarded.

Who has the Freedom of Derby?

There are a number of famous names who have been awarded the Freedom of Derby, including Brian Clough, Adam Peaty and Reg Harrison.

Brian Clough was awarded the Freedom of Derby in 2003.

The legendary Derby County manager brought the Rams their first league title in their history in 1972.

His legacy with the club remains strong today as the Rams compete with Nottingham Forest for the Brian Clough Trophy - and in 2010 Derby County erected a statue of the former manager outside Pride Park.

Adam Peaty is one of Britain’s greatest athletes.

He was awarded the honour in October 2016 after he won gold in the 100-metre breastroke, breaking the world record along the way.

Born in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, he grew up in and around Derby and spent much of his youth attending Derby College.

Peaty also started training at the City of Derby Swimming club in 2014.

He also regularly trained at Repton School.

Finally, Reg Harrison was a professional footballer between 1944 and 1962, playing the majority of his games for Derby County.

He made more than 280 appearances for the Rams, scoring more than 50 goals.

Harrison was awarded the Freedom of Derby in 2018, two years before he died at the age of 97.

Views on Dame Margaret Beckett being awarded the Freedom of Derby

Derby City Council leader Cllr Shanker said: “Dame Margaret Beckett has worked tirelessly for the people of this city.

“She has had many achievements here in Derby, not least protecting manufacturing jobs and fighting for manufacturing industries in Derby during various campaigns both locally and nationally to protect jobs and the interests of our city; more recently, with other MPs, ensuring Derby won the rights to host Great British Railways’ new headquarters.

“Irrespective of her politics, I am sure residents in the city believe Margaret has been a stalwart and a dedicated representative of our city and particularly Derby South.”

But there were many who did not agree, with many opposition councillors voting against the motion.

They said politicians awarding another politician the Freedom of Derby was a bad precedent to set.

Cllr Steve Hassall, leader of the Conservative group, said: “While we accept that Dame Margaret has provided a long history of service for this city and we wouldn’t deny that, we feel that the Freedom of the City is something politicians hand out to members of the city. I would suggest it shouldn’t be something politicians hand out to one another.

“We are not comfortable with the precedent it sets in handing one politician this accolade to another - so our group will be voting against.”

Who else could be awarded the Freedom of Derby?

Derby’s boxing ace Sandy Ryan has been considered by the council to earn the title.

Ryan, 29, was born in Derby - in April, she was crowned WBA Welterweight World Champion.

Former Derby County manager Wayne Rooney was tipped for the honour for sticking with the Rams throughout their turbulent period when the people of Derby didn’t know whether the club would continue to exist.

Rooney since left Derby to manage in the USA - and the council later said it had been unable to move the Freedom of Derby plan forward.

Do you think Dame Margaret Beckett should be awarded the Freedom of Derby? Have your say by emailing [email protected]