UPDATE: A heated political clash erupted today in Bristol as a petition with 4,600 signatures calling to “save Bristol’s libraries” sparked accusations of “scaremongering” between the Labour opposition and the Green-led council. The Labour Party claims that the future of library services remains uncertain despite assurances from the council that funding will not be cut next year.
During a full council meeting on 11 November 2025, Labour group leader Cllr Tom Renhard presented the petition, stating that while the council had initially considered slashing library funding by over £2.4 million, they backtracked following public outcry. He emphasized the need for a clear commitment to keep all libraries open, arguing that closures would have a devastating impact on local communities.
Cllr Renhard remarked, “There were no easy decisions – the trade-off for keeping them all open was reducing some libraries’ operating hours. We knew that once the building’s gone, it’s gone for good.” He criticized the ruling administration for not definitively ruling out any library closures as part of a significant ongoing review.
In response, Cllr Ed Fraser, a member of the Green Party, shared his personal experience, highlighting the vital role libraries played in his early speech development. He apologized to residents for any anxiety caused by the Labour Party’s campaign, stating, “I am particularly sorry that they carried on delivering leaflets with falsehoods about Bristol’s libraries.”
The debate intensified as Cllr Stephen Williams from the Liberal Democrats accused the Labour Party of disseminating “falsehoods and scaremongering.” He pointed out that under previous Labour leadership, proposals to close 17 libraries were only withdrawn after public backlash. “Last year, the Greens and Liberal Democrats decided we would not cut the libraries budget,” he asserted.
The tension escalated further when Cllr Mark Weston, leader of the Conservative group, expressed frustration over the perceived threat to libraries. He stated, “The only threat to close libraries in the last 10 years has come from Labour administrations.” He suggested that the petition served as a data-gathering exercise for Labour, aimed at gathering private information from concerned residents.
As the argument over library funding continues, the Green-led administration has reiterated its commitment to safeguard the library budget for the upcoming fiscal year. However, Labour insists that without a firm promise to keep all branches open, the future remains precarious.
The community’s response to today’s developments remains to be seen, with many residents expressing concern over the reliability of library services. Authorities confirm that the ongoing discussions will need to address these fears head-on to restore public confidence.
NEXT STEPS: With the council set to review library funding and services in the coming months, residents and political leaders alike are watching closely. The outcome of this debate will significantly impact Bristol’s library services and the communities that rely on them. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
