National Trust candidate rebuffs ‘anti-woke’ backing

A retired conservationist named by an “anti-woke” insurgent group as a candidate it was backing for National Trust elections says he was never consulted and is at odds with the campaigners.

Michael Goodhart told the Guardian he was shocked to see his name topping a list of six candidates backed by Restore Trust because he did not support its aims ahead of what is tipped to be a turbulent annual meeting of the heritage organisation at the end of the month.

“It just shows what a shallow organisation they are that they are putting forward recommendations of this nature without contacting those involved,” he said.

The National Trust warned last week of an ideological campaign waged by self-styled “anti-woke” insurgents whom it accuses of seeking to stoke divisions.

Goodhart said he strongly supported the trust over a report on slavery.