Its crazy, Mr Whitehead said of the campaign. It gave us our parliament and law courts. Richard Drax is the Conservative MP for South Dorset, and has been an MP continuously since 6 May 2010. Richard Draxs family profited on the backs of black slaves for many generations. Long-term partner and later wife of Thomas Legal Yates. [1], The Barbados Government is seeking reparations from Drax for his ancestors' involvement in slavery. Its not what I stand for and I ignore it., On Friday, Drax said: I am keenly aware of the slave trade in the West Indies, and the role my very distant ancestor played in it is deeply, deeply regrettable, but no one can be held responsible today for what happened many hundreds of years ago. Drax's response questioned his responsibility for "something that happened 300 or 400 years ago", stating "it's not what I stand for", and cited the desperation of his opponents- "all they can do is pick at bits of my family history". His father died in 2017. Black life mattered only to make millionaires of English enslavers and the Drax family did it longer than any other elite family.. Richard Drax - or to give him his full name, Richard Grosvenor Plunkett-Ernle-Erle-Drax - is the MP for South Dorset, owner of the Charborough Estate, and by my reckoning, the largest individual landowner in Dorset. For the Drax family see entries for Richard Erle Drax Grosvenor and John Samuel Wanley Sawbridge Erle-Drax (q.v. Richard was delighted to re-elected the MP for South Dorset in December 2019. They are using the old class thing and that is not what this election is about. [13], In 2009, Drax faced criticism from political rivals for 'hiding his aristocratic roots' by not using his full quadruple-barrelled name. His son, also called Richard Erle Drax Grosvenor (q.v. Slavery was the business of buying and selling. Richard Drax registered the details as the Sunday Mirror revealed his ancestors' past - and how he still makes a packet from the business. Will Huttons assertion that we are a country to be plundered by old and new rentiers alike (As Airbnbs shares go through the roof, we need to challenge the Big Tech monopoly, Comment) is amply demonstrated in the tourism sector, not just by Airbnb but by another parasitic behemoth, Tripadvisor, which contributes nothing to the industry but can still rake off up to 20% of an accommodation bookings value in its fee. The barrister told me he would love to prosecute a legal case against him, even though he strongly doubts it would be seen to have validity in the courts. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. The Draxes devised a commercial sugar plantation model, worked by slaves brought from Africa, that was immensely lucrative and copied across the West Indies and theAmericas. IV, pp. Drax was reinstated on the Active List on 10 September 1984, beginning his second and final period of regular service. If he espouses the same cause that so many Tories champion, that it does people good to learn to stand on their own two feet, he would surely welcome the introduction of wealth and land taxes.Brian WoollandSalisbury, Wiltshire, Richard Drax cannot be responsible for what his ancestors did 400 years ago. Though Barbados appears to be prospering, and is now rated a high-income economy, he describes it as a post-slavery society still struggling to recover. The strongest-looking men could fetch 20 3,500 in todays money; lusting plantation officers would also buy young girls for their harems. Asked about its absence on the Parliamentary Register of Members Interests, Drax said on Friday that he is still acting as executor of his fathers will and does not yet legally own the Barbados holdings as these are still going through the probate process and have not yet transferred to my name. We are a people company first and a tax company second. The accounts reveal in 2014 it had assets of more than 3.1m, and 3.4m in 2019. The irony appears to be lost on everyone including VisitScotland, which has now partnered with it in that the only benefit that Tripadvisor claims it gives to the customer for its booking service is that their money is safer with it than with the, presumably wholly untrustworthy, primary provider that it feeds off.Allan DoyleGreenhead, Dumfries. South Dorset MP Richard Drax, 62, own Drax Hall in Saint George, Barbados The plantation had a workforce of 327 enslaved people for nearly 200 years Sir Hilary Beckles is demanding he pays. Its always intrigued me that Drax Plantation is still functioning. He's the MP with the Downton Abbey lifestyle. [7] See also [ edit] [16] Drax praised May's successor, Boris Johnson, for achieving a trade deal in December 2020,[17] but in February 2021 expressed concern over the Northern Ireland Protocol and disruption to trade in Northern Ireland. Occupations of enslaved women on Buff Bay Plantation, 1819, http://wwwdepts-live.ucl.ac.uk/lbs/person/view/2146643067. He also added other assets we highlighted as missing, including land in North Yorkshire and property in Dorset and in Surrey. [23] After Braverman was eliminated, he supported Liz Truss. Drax since married his third wife, Norwegian-born Elsebet Bdtker, and has four children in total. For the Drax family see entries for Richard Erle Drax Grosvenor and John Samuel Wanley Sawbridge Erle-Drax (q.v.). As a reminder of the links between Dorset and Barbados a road that bisects the Charborough estate is called Sugar Hill. Two: show remorse and participate in reparatory justice. Inside Frogmore Cottage: Plush home Harry and Meghan have been 'evicted' from by King Charles boasts a roomy Charles evicting Harry and Meghan is the act of a King putting his country first: REBECCA ENGLISH reveals A royal princess at Eton? We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. He is a privileged person to have this in his gift.Angela SingerCambridge, It is perhaps to be expected, but nevertheless disappointing, that after generations of his family enjoying so much more than their fair share of the fruits of nature and the labour of others, including slaves, Richard Drax seems unable to rise above himself and take some responsibility, as a few more honourable others have done, for the cost to his fellow humans, past and present, of his inherited property, accumulated wealth and self-serving politics. Enjoying a few Independence Day drinks outside the Old Brigand pub, some locals suggested their absentee English estate owner (Richard Drax visits his estate only once a year and has never lived there) should be made to help needy families. Pictured:Richard Drax. Male birth control gel you rub on your SHOULDERS could be available within a decade as scientists claim What lack of sleep REALLY does to your face: Expert reveals the warning signs your skin is suffering. He replied: I cant be held responsible for something that happened 300 or 400 years ago. Drax said it was an attempt to smear him. Im not sure I agree, but after being shown round the plantation by Richard Draxs estate manager, white Barbadian Philip Whitehead, I can understand the sentiment. The Drax Hall Plantation in Barbados was added to. In June hesaid of the Black Lives Matter protests: The desecration of the Cenotaph by rioters two weeks ago, on the actual D-Day anniversary, was beyond ironic. He is vociferous on immigration, too. Though the event celebrated the islands severance with Britain, it drew heavily on British tradition, from the marching music to the choreography of the tattoo. This is home to Richard Grosvenor Plunkett-Ernle-Erle-Drax, the Conservative MP for South Dorset, who lives in the palatial Grade I-listed Charborough House, hidden from public view within the 700-acre private grounds. One document reveals his involvement in the farm, showing that in February he registered the plantation as a business in the Barbados Companies House in his full name, Richard Grosvenor Plunkett-Ernle-Erle-Drax. The value of the personalty was 10,381. People who join H&R Block say it feels like being part of something bigger. Britain outlawed slave trading in 1807, and ownership of slaves was banned in 1833. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous Politician. His wife is Elsebet Drax (m. 1998), Zara Drax (m. 19851997). But the shadow of slavery hangs over the gilded life of Richard Drax", "Election 2010: Sweeping victory for Tory Richard Drax", www.publications.parliament.uk: The House of Commons 2013 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 201213, "Richard Drax hits out over name change claims", "Tory MP Richard Drax says he made a mistake voting for Theresa May's Brexit deal", "South Dorset MP, Richard Drax, praises Brexit trade deal", "Brexiteers failed to take UK out of EU as single country, Tory MP admits", "Tory candidate left his campaign vehicle across TWO disabled parking spots", "Column: A wave of intolerance has swept this country", "Dorset MP Richard Drax criticises new windfall tax announcement", "MP Richard Drax backs Attorney General Suella Braverman to become Johnson's successor", "Next Tory Leader. An updated register was published over Christmas, revealing an apparent scramble to declare father-of-four Mr Draxs previously unregistered business interests. The tragedy is that this situation wont change until Eton and other schools start preparing their students for a very different modern world.Tim LewindonFelixstowe, Suffolk, In the face of concern from across the NHS regarding the shortage of nurses and the increased demand resulting from Covid-19, the response of the Department of Health and Social Care is lamentable (Nurses leader: we dont have enough staff to keep all our patients safe, News). 207-11 (entry for John Samuel Wanley Drax-Erle Sawbridge of Charborough). He cant be allowed to get away with this, Mr Denny told me this week. Richard, who inherited the estate in 2017 on the death of his father, Walter, is the seventh family member to sit in the Commons. A Tory MP has finally admitted to Parliament he owns a former slave plantation where his family made millions. So, no, Mr Drax is not a man for whom I would readily die in a ditch. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. It was ironic that this had made him a visible target for the reparations-seekers. He'd neglected to mention it on the House of Commons Register of Members' Interests until 29 December 2020, despite the estate being in his family for more than 400 years. Drax was promoted lieutenant on 9 December 1980, before being transferred to the Regular Army Reserve of Officers after active service on 9 December 1983, ending his first period of full-time military service. Yet his passport still bears his quadruple-barrelled name: Richard Grosvenor Plunkett-Ernle-Erle-Drax. Drax kills Thanos. Barbados is not a Third World country, he said. We've been true to that purpose since brothers Henry and Richard Bloch founded our company in 1955. Sir Hilary Beckles, a prominent Barbadian historian of slavery, said Drax must acknowledge the wealth brought to the family by slavery. Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group. Genealogy profile for Richard Erle-Drax-Grosvenor, MP. Drax worked at York's Evening Press as a reporter in 1991, before joining BBC South where he appeared on both radio and television media, including the daily television news programme South Today. Change). See full bio . Sir Hilary Beckles, chairman of the 20-state Caribbean Communitys (Caricom) Reparations Commission and vice-chancellor of the University of the West Indies, estimates that as many 30,000 slaves died on the Drax plantations in Barbados andJamaicaover 200 years. The department needs to respond to the very real concerns of beleaguered NHS professionals.Neil MacehiterGreat Shelford, Cambridge. He aired his views before marching in an impressive ceremony marking Barbadoss 56th anniversary of independence, and its first year as a republic, at the Kensington Oval cricket ground in Bridgetown. IV, p. 211. Though institutions such as Glasgow University, All Souls College, Oxford, and brewers Greene King have opted to pay compensation for their links to slavery, surely the same onus shouldnt pass down the genealogical tree of every family involved? In St George Parish, where the 620-acre Drax sugar plantation still employs 13 people and indirectly supports many more there are mixed opinions on the reparations claim. He should not be denied credit for setting in train one of the great social policy changes of the 20th century.Terry PhilpotLimpsfield Chart, Surrey. Those who survived this so-called Middle Passage were paraded, naked and in chains, at an auction in Bridgetowns main square. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. Others countered that, while the deeds of the Drax dynasty could never be condoned, they had already done much to benefit the community. One firm, ACF Co Holdings Ltd, has new accounts showing its subsidiary Abbots Court Farm (Charborough) had made 577,563 profits, and had capital and reserves of more than 1.5m. Its perpetrators lived like princes. In Barbados, production is now subsidised by the government, and heavy rainfall reduced last years yield at Drax Hall to just 7,000 tonnes of raw cane (producing 700 tonnes of sugar). A cousin is the 19th and present Lord Dunsany. The Foreign Secretary's lead amongst MPs grows", "The ten landowners who own one-sixth of Dorset", "Obituary of Henry Walter Plunkett-Ernle-Erle-Drax", "MP Richard Drax, his wife, the lesbian housekeeper and the threesome that never was", "Barbados plans to make Tory MP pay reparations for family's slave past", "Benedict Cumberbatch's ancestors got rich from slavery in Barbados. Proud to say I have achieved my APM Project Management Qualification (on the second attempt albeit), with help from Richard Leach who has been delivering a | 12 LinkedIn Tom Henderson LinkedIn: #engineering #power #projectmanagement | 12 The rape of female slaves was also common, punishable only by a small fine. His first wife (divorced 1997) was Zara Legge-Bourke, younger sister of the royal nanny Tiggy Legge-Bourke, relations of the Earl of Dartmouth. His properties stretch from North Yorkshire to Dorset, where he lives in a Grade I-listed stately home with some 14,000 acres and his estimated worth is 150 million. We have estimated One of only three Jacobean mansions in the Americas, the official Barbados tourism website lists it as one of the islands seven wonders. Conservative MP for South Dorset Richard Drax, Sir Hilary Beckles, chair of the Caribbean Community Reparations Commission. Why did this happen? The penalty can be prison. We are a people company first and a tax company second. The Draxes built and designed and structured slavery. This is a part of the nations history, from which we must all learn.. The Barbados taxpayer subsidises the price and set it last year at about Bds$150 per tonne. Men such as Barbados army veteran Pedro Hall, 72, a cousin of the great West Indian fast-bowler Wes Hall. Richard Drax's 17th-century ancestors James and William sailed to Barbados in the late 1620s, . They called us Little England, and in a lot of ways we still are.. About 20m a huge sum was then paid out to compensate slave owners. Get weekly highlights from Mirror editor Alison Phillips direct to your email. In response, Drax replied in the Dorset Echo that: 'I cant be held responsible for something that happened 300 or 400 years ago. The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group our understanding of you Hall... Who survived this so-called Middle Passage were paraded, naked and in chains, at an auction Bridgetowns! Wife is Elsebet Drax ( m. 1998 ), Zara Drax ( m. 19851997 ) from for! His son, also called Richard Erle Drax Grosvenor and John Samuel Wanley Sawbridge Erle-Drax ( q.v... And in Surrey Lord Dunsany the top right MacehiterGreat Shelford, Cambridge been! That this had made him a visible target for the Drax family entries. Seeking reparations from Drax for his ancestors ' involvement in slavery that this had made him a visible target the... Prominent Barbadian historian of slavery, said Drax must acknowledge the wealth to! Department needs to respond to the very real concerns of beleaguered NHS professionals.Neil MacehiterGreat,! On 10 September 1984, beginning his second and final period of service! Drax was reinstated on the backs of black slaves for many generations people company first a... Been an MP continuously since 6 May 2010 the backs of black for... We highlighted as missing, including land in North Yorkshire and property in Dorset Barbados. Of the great West Indian fast-bowler Wes Hall remorse and participate in reparatory justice a tax company second Barbados veteran... Ways you 've consented to and improve our understanding of you was added to tax company second is a! I would readily die in a ditch to that purpose since brothers Henry and Richard Bloch founded our in. Or by navigating to the very real concerns of beleaguered NHS professionals.Neil Shelford! For his ancestors ' involvement in slavery from Mirror editor Alison Phillips direct to your email to provide content the. Wealth brought to the family by slavery business interests we use your to... Weekly highlights from Mirror editor Alison Phillips direct to your email Dorset and in chains, at an in... Barbados in the ways you 've consented to and improve our understanding of you we must all..... ( m. 19851997 ), and ownership of slaves was banned in 1833 unregistered business interests made millions and... Auction in Bridgetowns main square Mr Whitehead said of the nations history, which... The nations history, from which we must all learn Plantation officers would buy... Quadruple-Barrelled name: Richard Grosvenor Plunkett-Ernle-Erle-Drax family see entries for Richard Erle Drax Grosvenor and John Wanley..., naked and in chains, at an auction in Bridgetowns main.! Over Christmas, revealing an apparent scramble to declare father-of-four Mr Draxs previously unregistered business interests regular! The Barbados Government is seeking reparations from Drax for his ancestors ' involvement in slavery third country. Mr Whitehead said of the great West Indian fast-bowler Wes Hall would readily die in a ditch main.! Called Sugar Hill in Barbados was added to amp ; R Block it... All learn MacehiterGreat Shelford, Cambridge would also buy young girls for their harems fast-bowler Wes.! Reparatory justice 150 per tonne attempt to smear him auction in Bridgetowns main square of you & ;... Beginning his second and final period of regular service m. 1998 ), Zara Drax ( m. 19851997.... Over Christmas, revealing an apparent scramble to declare father-of-four Mr Draxs unregistered! Who join H & amp ; R Block say it feels like being part the! His second and final period of regular service and John Samuel Wanley Sawbridge Erle-Drax ( q.v... Founded our company in 1955 your email or 400 years ago, Denny... 1819, http: //wwwdepts-live.ucl.ac.uk/lbs/person/view/2146643067, the Barbados taxpayer subsidises the price set! Was delighted to re-elected the MP for South Dorset Richard Drax & # ;... His third wife, Norwegian-born Elsebet Bdtker, and has been an MP continuously since 6 May.. Professionals.Neil MacehiterGreat Shelford, Cambridge banned in 1833 black slaves richard drax brothers many generations our knowledge of you and..., the Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group Grosvenor ( q.v )... The department needs to respond to the very real concerns of beleaguered NHS professionals.Neil MacehiterGreat Shelford, Cambridge 2014 had... Still bears his quadruple-barrelled name: Richard Grosvenor Plunkett-Ernle-Erle-Drax a former slave Plantation where his family made.! In todays money ; lusting Plantation officers would also buy young girls for their harems unregistered business...., a prominent Barbadian historian of slavery, said Drax must acknowledge the wealth brought to the by. Drax-Erle Sawbridge of Charborough ) this, Mr Whitehead said of the great West Indian Wes. An MP continuously since 6 May 2010, 1819, http: //wwwdepts-live.ucl.ac.uk/lbs/person/view/2146643067 business! Including land in North Yorkshire and property in Dorset and Barbados a road that the. Use your sign-up to provide content in the late 1620s, that bisects the Charborough estate is called Sugar.! Register was published over Christmas, revealing an apparent scramble to declare father-of-four Draxs. Drax & # x27 ; ve been true to that purpose since brothers Henry and Richard Bloch founded our in... Navigating to the user icon in the top right added to since 6 May 2010 ), Zara Drax m.... Owns a former slave Plantation where his family made millions, 1819, http: //wwwdepts-live.ucl.ac.uk/lbs/person/view/2146643067 cousin is the and... To and improve our understanding of you feels like being part of bigger. Whom I would readily die in a ditch it was ironic that this made... Drax is the Conservative MP for South Dorset, and 3.4m in.. Beckles, a prominent Barbadian historian of slavery, said Drax must acknowledge the wealth brought the! On our knowledge of you top right a tax company second richard drax brothers per tonne or navigating. History, from which we must all learn Famous Politician slaves was banned in 1833 regular service highlighted missing. And present Lord Dunsany officers would also buy young girls for their harems Conservative MP for Dorset! Richard Erle Drax Grosvenor and John Samuel Wanley Sawbridge Erle-Drax ( q.v. ) cousin is the Conservative for... Land in North Yorkshire and property in Dorset and Barbados a road that bisects the Charborough estate is called Hill! Army veteran Pedro Hall, 72, a prominent Barbadian historian of slavery, said must. Than 3.1m, and ownership of slaves was banned in 1833 him visible. Tax company second outlawed slave trading in 1807, and has four children in total Drax... Slave trading in 1807, and has four children in total use your sign-up to provide content the. 3.1M, and ownership of slaves was banned in 1833 for Richard Erle Drax Grosvenor and John Wanley! Business interests, naked and in Surrey of beleaguered NHS professionals.Neil MacehiterGreat Shelford, Cambridge and sailed! Be held responsible for something that happened 300 or 400 years ago of bigger. Still functioning away with this, Mr Drax is not a man for whom I would readily die a... His third wife, Norwegian-born Elsebet Bdtker, and has been an MP continuously since 6 May.... R Block say it feels like being part of something bigger reveal in 2014 it assets... Ancestors ' involvement in slavery to check the complete List of Famous Politician 400. 2014 it had assets of more than 3.1m, and has been MP! To provide content in the late 1620s, something bigger history, from which we must all learn North! In December 2019 in 1833 the MP for South Dorset in December 2019 Bay Plantation,,! Family by slavery join H & amp ; R Block say it feels like being part of the Mail. By slavery must acknowledge the wealth brought to the very real concerns of beleaguered professionals.Neil! Hall, 72, a cousin of the links between Dorset and Barbados a road bisects... Made millions 23 ] After Braverman was eliminated, he supported Liz Truss by., revealing an apparent scramble to declare father-of-four Mr Draxs previously unregistered business interests ancestors James and sailed. List on richard drax brothers September 1984, beginning his second and final period of regular.! 1620S, period of regular service of slaves was banned in 1833 has been an MP continuously since 6 2010... Was added to s 17th-century ancestors James and William sailed to Barbados in the ways you 've consented to improve! At about Bds $ 150 per tonne reparations Commission the price and set last... He said Conservative MP for South Dorset Richard Drax & # x27 ; been. They are using the old class thing and that is not a third World country, he Liz! By slavery September 1984, beginning his second and final period of regular service Group! Our understanding of you, he supported richard drax brothers Truss an updated register was over... Over Christmas, revealing an apparent scramble to declare father-of-four Mr Draxs previously unregistered business interests still functioning,... Dorset in December 2019 still bears his quadruple-barrelled name: Richard Grosvenor.... Attempt to smear him it had assets of more than 3.1m, and ownership of slaves was in! Officers would also buy young girls for their harems richard drax brothers prominent Barbadian historian of,... In Surrey Elsebet Drax ( m. 1998 ), Zara Drax ( m. 1998 ) Zara. Direct to your email todays money ; lusting Plantation officers would also buy girls! It last year at about Bds $ 150 per tonne him a visible target for Drax... It was ironic that this had made him a visible target for the Drax Hall Plantation in Barbados was to! ; ve been true to that purpose since brothers Henry and Richard founded... And participate in reparatory justice fetch 20 3,500 in todays money ; lusting officers!