A group of Labour MPs, among them Yvette Cooper, are bringing in the new year with a call to institute a UK “town of culture” award. A town of culture award could, it is argued, become an annual event, attracting funding and creating jobs. Despite these caveats, the proposal of Ms Cooper and her colleagues is a sound one. Margate, for example, would make a wonderful town of culture; indeed, it needs little encouragement, since the excellent gallery Turner Contemporary is to host the Turner prize next year. Jeremy Wright, the culture secretary, should welcome this positive, hope-filled proposal, and turn it into action.

Source: The Guardian December 30, 2018 15:45 UTC