Face up to Britain’s colonial past, don’t wipe it from London’s A to Z

The London suburb of Tulse Hill could be renamed because of its historical links to slavery. The area was named after the 17th-century merchant Sir Henry Tulse, whose wealth largely derived from the slave trade. Lambeth council is asking residents for their views as part of a community listening exercise.

It isn’t just Sir Henry who is in danger of being erased, 45 streets and statues have been either renamed or removed over historic slavery links. And it isn’t only links to slavery which are prompting name-changing. In north London, councillors in Haringey voted to rename Black Boy Lane in Tottenham to better reflect diversity. The road will become known as La Rose Lane after the poet and activist John La Rose, who co-founded the first Caribbean publishing company in Britain.