Oxford MP Anneliese Dodds on BBC about Cecil Rhodes statue

On the BBC Breakfast show live this morning, the Shadow Chancellor was asked to take a stance on whether the stone statue on Oriel College should stay.

The reigniting of the debate comes after the toppling of slave trader Edward Colston’s statue in Bristol at the weekend.

It wasn’t long before eyes turned to similar monuments, including that of British imperialist and South African politician Rhodes on Oxford High Street.

Read more: will Cecil Rhodes statue be removed? 

In 2016 a major campaign was launched to persuade the Oxford College to remove it but despite numerous protests it still stands tall.

Discussing the controversy, Ms Dodds said: “We have had a number of changes in the city over visible symbols of colonialism, we have had a lot of changes in our museums to recognise that and I think they have been very productive changes.

"They have led to a lot more people in the city understanding far better that appalling history of slavery and oppression."

After being asked twice to clarify whether she thinks the status should stay or go, she said: "Well I think I can understand that people are very concerned about it being there, just leaving it there as it is is not helpful actually because it does reinforce an impression that nothing has changed.

"There has been a number of proposals about what exactly should be done to it and very vigorous debates around those and I sympathise with the sentiments behind them.”

POLL: Should Cecil Rhodes statue be removed? 

She added: “My view is that it staying where it is without any other symbol there that would highlight what occurred during those awful times is not helpful.

"Some people want an opposing symbol there, you have others who want it to be removed - for me the critical thing is to listen to the black community within Oxford and those who are directly impacted by this.

"I am not going to seek to speak for them, I don't think that would be helpful."