So, how much is Richard Drax worth at the age of 64 years old? After 10 years as a backbencher he has become increasingly prominent among Tory rightwing Brexiters driving the governments hardline position on Europe. During the election campaign there was some controversy when the Daily Mirror wrote that Drax's ancestors had earned their fortune on slavery. [21], In May 2022, Drax criticised the decision by Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak to introduce a windfall tax on oil and gas firms to fund economic support for the public during the cost of living crisis, accusing him of "throwing red meat to socialists". [29], A 2020 investigation by The Guardian found that Richard Drax still owns and grows sugar on the same Drax Hall Estate in Barbados that made the family's fortune. Selected as a Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate in July 2006, at the general election in May 2010 Drax defeated the incumbent Labour Member of Parliament for South Dorset, Jim Knight, later Baron Knight of Weymouth. Get weekly highlights from Mirror editor Alison Phillips direct to your email. You drive in and it looks like a plantation might look back in the 17th century. When he first stood for parliament in 2010, he was asked by the Daily Mirror about his historical responsibility. How fitting! Now he could be on the hook for reparations", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Richard_Drax&oldid=1139014260, This page was last edited on 12 February 2023, at 22:40. They are only going after him because he is the last colonial owner.. [6], Drax was reinstated on the Active List on 10 September 1984, beginning his second and final period of regular service. 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. Later, the Draxes married into the Erle family that owned Charborough Park and the sugar profits helped to greatly extend the . The MPs spokesman said: Richard was made aware on February 5 of omissions in the Companies House filings in relation to unlimited Abbots Court Farm and Anderson Manor Farm. A Tory MP whose family made millions through slavery is facing calls for an investigation into his company records. 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. Reputedly the richest landowner in the Commons, his portfolio of companies includes farms that grow poppies to make opium for the NHS and hops for craft breweries. Richard Drax cannot be responsible for what his ancestors did 400 years ago. Richard Draxs 17th-century ancestors James and William sailed toBarbadosin the late 1620s, where they cleared lush land in the centre of the island and experimented with growing and processing sugar. 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. (LogOut/ Genealogy for Richard Erle-Drax-Grosvenor (Grosvenor), MP (1762 - 1819) family tree on Geni, with over 230 million profiles of ancestors and living relatives. The comments below have been moderated in advance. Oxford and Glasgow universities gave 100,000 and 20million respectively to Caribbean counterparts after it emerged they received donations linked to slavery. REVEALED: Roald Dahl books were neutered by woke consultants aged eight to 30 - led by 'non-binary, asexual, Holiday home owners in Scotland face new SNP tax hike under plans from front-runner to be new First Scotland should just self-identify as an independent country, one SNP member proposed. But this was only by comparison with other plantation bosses. And he has been vocal in the debate about Covid within the party, joining the Tory MPs who have rebelled against the government over its lockdown measures. 1462): the second oldest title in the Peerage of Ireland. We are establishing a fund into which families, corporations and establishments like universities that were implicated in some way in the crime of enslavement can pay. March 1, 2023, 6:11 p.m. Once that process is completed, I will of course register it in proper accordance with the rules.. The Mirror's newsletter brings you the latest news, exciting showbiz and TV stories, sport updates and essential political information. The MP declined to comment this week. Born on 29 January 1958 in United Kingdom, Richard Drax started his career as Politician . Before he first stood for election, in 2010, David Cameron apparently urged him to de-toff his image, whereupon he declared himself an ordinary man of Dorset. Its always intrigued me that Drax Plantation is still functioning. 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. 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. But it is Richard Drax MPs inheritance in Barbados, amassed over centuries by his ancestors ownership and appalling treatment of African people which drags him into the spotlight. The Barbadian revolutionary David Denny thinks otherwise. [citation needed], His first wife (divorced 1997) was Zara Legge-Bourke, younger sister of the royal nanny Tiggy Legge-Bourke, relations of the Earl of Dartmouth. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. Sir Reginald Drax, younger son of the 17th Lord Dunsany thereby being in remainder to the ancient Barony of Dunsany (cr. [9], Drax worked at York's Evening Press as a reporter in 1991,[3] before joining BBC South where he appeared on both radio and television media, including the daily television news programme South Today.[10]. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. As one wag quipped, with the sugar industry and West Indies Test cricket team in decline, shes the islands most famous export. [4] Drax was promoted lieutenant on 9 December 1980,[5] 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. Copyright Legacies of British Slavery - UCL Department of History 2023. No doubt some will accuse me of flippancy, but I have been heartened to learn, this week, that a good many black Barbadians share my misgivings. It was suggested the then leader of the Conservative Party, David Cameron, had asked wealthy Conservative candidates to shorten their names to appear more in touch with normal people. Britain outlawed slave trading in 1807, and ownership of slaves was banned in 1833. Its time for action! Once we have made him pay, we are coming after the Royal Family.. Cut in half, fill with potting compost, insert one seed in the centre, lightly cover and keep moist. 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. They have a responsibility now to make some effort to help repair the damage. He's the MP with the Downton Abbey lifestyle. 5 Oct. 1762, 1st s. of . Matthew Parkers masterful book includes harrowing first-hand accounts of the trials they suffered after being crammed into galleys (where up to a quarter died of disease and suffocation) and shipped across the Atlantic. Richard Grosvenor Plunkett-Ernle-Erle-Drax (born 29 January 1958) is a British Conservative politician, journalist and landowner, serving as the Member of Parliament (MP) for South Dorset since 2010. They called us Little England, and in a lot of ways we still are.. Richardpassed away in 1370, at age 33 at death place. He owns the Drax Hall sugar. We shouldnt be asking anyone for money. Six were burnt alive, and 11 beheaded. Truss on 149, Sunak on 132. Richard enjoyed a variety of activities, ranging from ceremonial duties, such as Trooping . Many Barbadians regard the original owner of this eponymous pile, Sir James Drax, as the devil incarnate. 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). Black African people did that, but Ive never heard anyone say they should be held responsible. However, a well-placed source tells me he might have been amenable to such a solution, had he not been ambushed at a meeting in early October with the Barbadian prime minister Mia Mottley. A fraction of his family fortune, accumulated during centuries of slavery, could do good today for people . By 1839, the estate was 840 acres. In 2009, Drax faced criticism from political rivals for 'hiding his aristocratic roots' by not using his full quadruple-barrelled name. . The South Dorset MP, 63, started replacing entries after our enquiry in January. [14], Drax campaigned for Brexit during the 2016 referendum. James Drax first landed in Barbados in 1627. The Drax family also owned slave plantations in Jamaica, which they sold in the mid-1800s. [7] He was promoted captain on 10 March 1986. James Tappers insightful contribution (New Generation of Good Lifers who set out to grow their own Christmas, News) includes a tip for self-sufficiency from the renowned expert William Sutherland, who advises the novice grower against planting carrots. 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. David Comissiong, Barbadoss ambassador to Caricom, says of the Drax family: You cant simply walk away from the scene of the crime. His first wife (divorced 1997) was Zara Legge-Bourke, younger sister of the royal nanny Tiggy Legge-Bourke, relations of the Earl of Dartmouth. Drax was born on 29 January 1958 in Westminster. .]. I have enjoyed a bountiful carrot harvest, having duped carrot fly by planting seeds in lavatory roll holders. Biography. Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group. [1] In response, Drax replied in the Dorset Echo that: 'I cant be held responsible for something that happened 300 or 400 years ago. Brother of Henry Drax (-1790) and father of Sarah Frances Drax who married Richard Grosvenor (who became Richard Erle Drax Grosvenor [q.v.]). The dates listed below have different categories as denoted by the letters in the brackets following each date. he is one of famous Politician with the age 63 years old group. Drax Hall is an imposing, grey stone residence built for a 17thcentury entrepreneur who revolutionised the Caribbean sugar industry, and in so doing helped make Britain the wealthiest nation on earth. Leading Barbados human rights barrister Andrew Pilgrim KC (a title still used here, though Charles is no longer king) depicts an island where black people are too often treated as second-class citizens, though they overwhelmingly form the majority of the 287,000 population. Mr Thomas believes Britain and other European countries that profited from slavery, such as Spain, France, Portugal and Holland (who for many years dominated the trade), should compensate the Caribbean islands they plundered, but at a governmental level. Tweet. Also learn how He earned most of networth at the age of 62 years old? Three: we would like to talk to you about how [you should repay these debts]. The mainly 17th-century mansion with its 120ft folly tower is the model for Welland House in the Thomas Hardy novelTwo on a Tower. A Tory MP has finally admitted to Parliament he owns a former slave plantation where his family made millions. Chinese labourers (paid less than the Barbadian minimum wage) construct yuan-funded roads and buildings. Richard Drax is facing calls for an investigation, Mr Drax worth about 150million could also face a parliamentary probe. Something went wrong, please try again later. The Dutch also gave him the idea to replace the indentured English and Irish servants who worked his land with imported Africans, whom he deemed able to do the work of three white men. Warning chocolate lovers ultra-processed foods might make you depressed, study claims, Can YOU guess the book? Annihilation. Campaigners demanded Mr Drax, 62, pay reparations for harm caused by his familys slave trade. Once that process is completed, I will of course register it in proper accordance with the rules. Sir Hilary Beckles, a prominent Barbadian historian of slavery, said Drax must acknowledge the wealth brought to the family by slavery. not a Conservative politician, journalist, landowner and former British Army officer, serving as MP for S.Dorset Bere Regis, England Joined October 2020 1,421 Following 1,395 Followers Tweets & replies Media Pinned Tweet [28], At least six of his ancestors, including John Samuel Wanley Sawbridge Erle-Drax and the 17th Lord Dunsany, were Members of Parliament for Dorset and Gloucestershire between the 1680s and 1880s. He recently paid Bds$59,375 (22,200) in annual land tax. He was privately educated at Harrow School . The rape of female slaves was also common, punishable only by a small fine. Pamela Weeks (19312019) and a grandson of Admiral The Hon. According to David Denny, a self-proclaimed Barbadian revolutionary, the Tory politician should donate hundreds of millions towards the building of schools, roads, health centres and other community projects. The TV presenter and historian David Olusoga says: The Drax family are one of the few who were pioneers in the early stages of the British slave economy back in the 17th century and, generations later, still owned plantations and enslaved people at the end of British slavery in the 1830s. His brother, Thomas Grosvenor (1764-1851); of Grosvenor House, Walthamstow, Essex and Stocking Hall, Leics. . This was a crime against humanity and we impose upon him [Mr Drax] and his family a moral responsibility to contribute to the effort to repair the damage.. In 1961, when minister of health, he spoke of setting a torch to the funeral pyre of the long-stay mental illness asylums, which he pictured as isolated, majestic and imperious. Charborough House, Dorset, Wessex, England, Olantigh, Wye, Kent, South-east England, England, http://www.dorsetlife.co.uk/2011/01/three-cheers-for-sawbridge-drax/, http://lh.matthewbeckett.com/houses/lh_kent_olantightowers.html, Occupations of enslaved women on Buff Bay Plantation, 1819, http://wwwdepts-live.ucl.ac.uk/lbs/person/view/2246. His grandson Henry concurred. John Burke, Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Commoners of Great Britain and Ireland (4 vols., London, Henry Colburn, 1835-1838), IV, pp. 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. The Drax wealth may be hidden by a great wall of secrecy and unanswered questions away from prying eyes. 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. Mr Drax, a rich, high-profile British MP, had been picked on precisely because was an easy target. Richardmarried Christian Drax (born Falos (Fullas or Faloys))circa 1366, at age 29 at marriage place. 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. [22], Drax endorsed Suella Braverman during the July 2022 Conservative Party leadership election. The Drax family received 4,293 pounds, 12 shillings and 6 pence more than 500,000 today. According to Parliament's register of interests, Drax was one of 72 Conservative MPs who voted against the amendment who personally derived an income from renting out property. He retained the rank of lieutenant with seniority from 10 September 1981 to reflect the three years he had served. Richard Anobile, a prolific creator of film books whose friendly collaboration with the anarchic comedian Groucho Marx on a project called "The . Richard Drax, 64, has reportedly been threatened with legal action in the international courts by politicians on the Caribbean island if he refuses to comply with their demands. Drax since married his third wife, Norwegian-born Elsebet Bdtker, and has four children in total. An updated register was published over Christmas, revealing an apparent scramble to declare father-of-four Mr Draxs previously unregistered business interests. Pictured:Richard Drax. He is from . Richard Drax must live on a different planet to the many of his constituents desperately struggling to make ends meet. In 1827 he married Jane, the daughter of Richard Erle-Drax Grosvenor and a member of the Drax family which was so prominent among the slave-owners of Barbados. Dont they have a responsibility as well?. The Kola Nut in the Atlantic World, The Barbara T. Christian Literary Award for CSA 2023, Kathleen Martnez continues the search for Cleopatra's tomb, Art Exhibition: Tania Marmolejos Alter Egos. Like many of his ancestors, Drax is a Dorset MP and is probably the wealthiest landowner in the House of Commons, with 5,600 hectares of farmland and woodlands. I've never done it before and never done it since but it was a real moment of thoughtlessness and it won't happen again. Than the Barbadian minimum wage ) construct yuan-funded roads and buildings of Grosvenor,. Team in decline, shes the islands most famous export richard drax brothers live on a tower rivals for 'hiding aristocratic. Only by a great wall of secrecy and unanswered questions away from prying eyes following date. To parliament he owns a former slave plantation where his family fortune, accumulated during of., 12 shillings and 6 pence more than 500,000 today in decline, shes the islands most famous export Legacies... 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