Labour has been accused of quietly abandoning a law requiring councils to seek resident approval before renaming streets.  

The legislation, introduced by the Tories after the Black Lives Matter protests, mandated a two-thirds majority in a referendum before local authorities could rename landmarks.  

The move followed attempts by councils to sever ties with historical figures linked to the slave trade.  

However, a Policy Exchange report revealed the regulations were never enforced.  

The think tank’s report also noted recent efforts by councils to reassess historical connections, including the City of London Corporation’s project to identify officials with ties to slavery.

Lara Brown, Policy Exchange Senior Research Fellow and author of the compendium, said: 'The Labour Government has quietly dropped legislation which would have prevented activist councils from renaming streets over the heads of local residents. 

'They claim they wish to end the culture wars, and yet they are pursuing the politics of division, prioritising a minority of campaigners over the views of the public.

'Policy Exchange's History Matters Compendium shows that action continues to be taken widely and quickly to reframe how the past is presented.'

Policy Exchange's History Matters project, chaired by broadcaster Sir Trevor Phillips, was established in June 2020 to 'address widespread national concern about the growing trend to alter public history and heritage without due process'.

The City of London Corporation announced its £34,000 review last week

Chris Hayward, Policy Chairman, said at the time:  'In line with our commitment to equity, equality, diversity and inclusion, this project will help us to better understand the City Corporation's past, ensuring that we are transparent about our role in this shameful period of the UK's history.'

Professor William Pettigrew said: 'Like many well-established British institutions, the City of London Corporation has connections to the transatlantic trade in enslaved African people. This commissioned research will seek to define those connections.'