St George’s Day parade SAVED by local businessman after council threatened to axe event

The Metropolitan Police had withdrawn its support for road closures this year, leaving organisers scrambling to find alternative funding.

The parade, which sees young Scouts march through Collier Row before attending a church service, has been a cherished local tradition for over seven decades.

Residents expressed outrage when news emerged that the celebration honouring England’s patron saint might not take place.

Mr Floyd’s intervention, however, ensures the event will proceed as planned, preserving a community institution that has united families since 1954.

Andrew Rosindell, the Reform MP for Romford, directed sharp criticism at the Mayor of London over the situation.

“We pay a huge amount to the Mayor of London by way of a precept, to provide us with local Police to look after our borough, but we are not getting the support we pay for,” he wrote on social media

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The MP argued that officers from outer London boroughs are routinely deployed to central London for demonstrations, including “left-wing anti-capitalist demonstrations, pride parades and climate change fanatics,” leaving local communities without adequate support.

“Being a London borough and under the Met, resources are always taken away from us. It’s Sir Sadiq Khan who is to blame,” Mr Rosindell stated.

He described the parade as “a magnificent display of pride” and an essential part of Romford’s heritage as an Essex market town.

The MP questioned why volunteers in high-visibility jackets could not manage a brief procession lasting merely 15 to 20 minutes.

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Mr Floyd, a father of four who was himself a Cub Scout in his youth, explained his decision to intervene.

“When I think of everything that’s getting cancelled, it’s disgusting,” he said.

The businessman expressed disbelief that neither the council nor the Mayor of London could secure the necessary funding for an event centred on children.

“This parade has been going for decades, but if it didn’t happen this year, it never would have happened again,” Mr Floyd warned.

He drew a pointed contrast between the Scout parade and larger demonstrations in the capital, noting there would be no trouble at an event involving youngsters.

His company had previously supported Romford’s Christmas festivities when they too faced cancellation last year.

Conservative councillor Michael White, himself a former Scout, welcomed the news that the parade would continue.

Speaking to GB News earlier this week, Cllr White said: “I don’t think councils or the police, these clipboards, these health and safety zealots, understand things like St George’s Day parades.

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“They’re priceless, you can’t put a price on them. They bond the community, they bond our tradition, they make us recall our patron saints. You can’t put a price on that.”

The Cllr said that more needs to be done to “protect our heritage” and “value St George’s Day in our communities”, before lambasting the London Mayor.

He added: “I think with the Metropolitan Police, what I understand it was about resource, but I think it’s a little bit more than that. It’s about Mayor Khan, isn’t it?

“It’s about his understanding of zone one and not really understanding what’s going on in the outer London ring. And for us, these kinds of parades, this celebration of Havering, is really important, and I just don’t think he gets it.”

Following discussions between Havering Council, the Metropolitan Police and the Scouts, a joint statement confirmed that revised arrangements meant expensive external traffic management would no longer be necessary.

A Met spokesman clarified that road closure responsibilities rest with event organisers and local authorities, adding that the force had not previously provided traffic support for the parade.

Acting Chief Inspector Charlie Routley confirmed officers would attend to protect the community, as they have done for many years.