Anti-nuclear rose garden removed from Estuary 2021 festival after Conservative councillors object to political message

Gabriella Hirst's art piece, 'An English Garden', was removed from the Estuary 2021 festival in Southend after local Conservative councillors raised concerns about its anti-nuclear message. The installation featured 'Atom Bomb' roses in a coastal park, with a plaque noting that Britain assembled its first nuclear weapon nearby in 1952, testing it on indigenous Australian land. Councillor James Moyies, who has ties to Vote Leave and UKIP, led the objections. Instead of altering the artwork as requested, Metal, the organizing group, chose to take it down, a move Hirst opposed, mentioning a 48-hour ultimatum that threatened a negative media portrayal of the piece. Her work explored the history of Britain's role as a colonial nuclear power, funded by Arts Council England.