A County Durham in Crisis:
A County Durham in Crisis:
A Concerning Shift Away from Equality, Inclusion, and Disability Rights in County Durham
By Sarah Wingfield
When a county council begins collaborating with the Reform party and quietly renames roles to strip away references to “climate change,” “equality,” and “inclusion,” it sends a clear message: they no longer wish to advocate for the rights of disabled people or champion diversity. They no longer wish to hear from us—let alone include us.
Durham County Council has breached the Equality Act by discriminating against me—a disabled person—due to my legal use of prescription cannabis. This discrimination occurred behind the scenes, using my prescription cannabis use—shared on social media—as a means to discredit and silence my voice as a disability rights activist and independent advocate.
I have a meeting with an organisation tomorrow to address the concerning reality that our council may be actively breaking UK law. The dismantling of equality and inclusion policies threatens the legal protections disabled people have fought for—and won—over decades. Myself, and several other disabled rights advocates, are deeply alarmed at what these changes represent: a dangerous step backward.
Let me be clear: when you attack one disabled voice, you attack all of us.
In addition to policy changes, Durham County Council’s social media moderation policy is being used as a blunt tool of censorship. They have stated publicly that they reserve the right to remove any posts they personally deem “upsetting, misleading, or sensitive.” This sweeping clause allows them to delete or suppress valid concerns, advocacy efforts, or community campaigns under the guise of protecting others.
“Posts or comments which seek to publicise campaigns by individuals, groups or organisations…
Anything else we consider upsetting/misleading or sensitive.”
This is more than moderation—it is silencing. It creates a culture where constructive criticism and community-led campaigns can be erased, blocked, and ignored at will.
We cannot tackle real issues in our communities if our voices are excluded from the conversation. We cannot create inclusive policy if those most affected are not only ignored—but actively censored.
If our public institutions no longer stand for equity, accessibility, and lawful inclusion, then what future are we creating? A country where the vulnerable are silenced. Where advocates are targeted. Where communities are divided. A future devoid of progress and compassion.
I refuse to stand by while my rights—as a disabled person, as an advocate, and as a County Durham resident—are stripped away. I will continue to speak out, stand strong, and defend the rights of my community, no matter how uncomfortable that makes those in power.
Sarah Wingfield 🌹
Independent Disability Advocate
#Disabilityrights #Disabilityinclusion #reform #durhamcountycouncil #freespeechunderattack #disabilitysupport
