Britain's Imperial Statues: What Replaces Symbols of Empire 2026

The debate over Britain's imperial statues and what replaces them is reshaping public spaces. After the toppling of colonial monuments, communities are asking what should stand in their place.

In 2020, the Black Lives Matter movement sparked a reckoning across Britain. Statues of enslavers and colonial figures were toppled, defaced, or quietly removed. Edward Colston was thrown into Bristol harbour, Robert Milligan was taken down outside London's Museum of Docklands, and campaigners renewed calls for Cecil Rhodes to come off his plinth at Oriel College, Oxford. Six years later, the battle continues, with Hackney MP Diane Abbott highlighting the case of Robert Geffrye, a 17th-century merchant whose wealth came partly from the transatlantic slave trade. His statue still stands outside the Museum of the Home, despite a 2020 consultation finding strong support for its removal.

The Debate Over Statues and Public Memory

The controversy is not about erasing history, but about refusing to honor those who profited from slavery in public spaces. Abbott argues, “We must never forget that, but we must not honor it.” This sentiment reflects a broader shift in how Britons view their imperial past.

Yet, walking through most British towns and cities, the landscape hasn't changed much. The vast majority of imperial monuments remain in place. The question is: what should replace them where they have been removed?

Alternatives to Toppled Statues

Several approaches have emerged:

• Contextualization: Adding plaques or digital installations to explain a statue's problematic history.
• New commemorations: Erecting statues of figures who fought against slavery or contributed to diverse communities.
• Artistic interventions: Using temporary art to challenge or reinterpret existing monuments.
• Removal and relocation: Moving statues to museums where they can be displayed with educational context.

Case Studies: What's Happening Across Britain

In Bristol, the empty plinth where Edward Colston once stood now hosts rotating art installations. The city's “We Are Bristol” project has featured a statue of Jen Reid, a Black Lives Matter protester, and later a hologram of Colston with a noose. These interventions keep the conversation alive.

In Oxford, Oriel College decided to keep the Rhodes statue but added a plaque explaining his legacy and committed to increasing diversity. This compromise has been criticized by some as insufficient, but it represents a middle ground.

In London, the Museum of the Home has been in talks about the Geffrye statue. Options include moving it to a gallery with context or leaving it with enhanced interpretation. The museum's consultation showed that a majority of respondents favored removal, but the decision remains pending.

Public Opinion and Data

Public opinion is divided. A 2021 YouGov poll found that 41% of Britons thought statues of historical figures with links to slavery should be removed, while 47% disagreed. However, support for contextualization is higher, with 62% favoring adding information.

The Future of Public Monuments

What replaces Britain's imperial statues is not just about physical objects. It's about redefining national identity and acknowledging the full complexity of history. Many communities are now proposing new monuments to figures like Mary Seacole, the Jamaican-born nurse, or Olaudah Equiano, a former enslaved African who became a leading abolitionist.

Local councils are developing guidelines for new commemorations, emphasizing diversity and historical accuracy. Some suggest that instead of static statues, we might use interactive digital memorials or green spaces that tell stories without glorifying individuals.

Key Takeaways

• The toppling of statues has sparked a national conversation about public memory.
• Alternatives include contextualization, removal, replacement, and artistic interventions.
• Public opinion is split, but there is growing support for education over erasure.
• The debate is likely to continue as more communities examine their monuments.

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