Give peace a chance and give due prominence and recognition to Cobden

Published: 3 February, 2011

• I URGE everyone in Camden not to lose a historic opportunity. 

Since 2004 I have, with others, been trying to get the statue of Richard Cobden in front of Mornington Crescent Underground given the recognition and prominence that Cobden deserves.

He was a major peace-making figure of the 19th century. He worked to improve relations with the French and avoid war. That is why Napoleon III is mentioned on the decaying plinth – but without any explanation.

This site is most appropriate as a focus for peace, with Cobden’s statue at its centre.

Now, out of the blue to me, though I have discussed our suggestions with a variety of planners and with the Camden Town Conservation Area Advisory Committee, I learn that a war memorial is proposed for that site – dedicated to those who were prisoners of the Japanese.

We have no objections whatever to the erection of such a memorial to those brave men but please not bang in front of Cobden.

Camden is not short of other possible locations.

There are all too few London peace memorials. Camden is a cosmopolitan, international, area. Where better than around a memorial to Cobden to remind ourselves that peace is possible if we are prepared to work for it?

BRUCE KENT
Vice-president
Movement for the 
Abolition of War