The National Trust: Controversy over its direction and purpose

The National Trust, with its five million members, has been the subject of a recent speech by Keir Starmer, who took aim at the government over its handling of the Trust. This highlights the internal conflict within the organization regarding the preservation of historic buildings and natural environments, and whether it should also include education about the history and origins of these properties. The emergence of Restore Trust, a group opposing certain aspects of the Trust's direction, has further fueled the debate. Despite Restore Trust's attempts, they have not gained much support from the membership base, as evidenced by their unsuccessful candidacies in recent elections. Keir Starmer's involvement in the issue may be due to the National Trust's appeal to conservative voters and his alignment with the values of preservation, community, and volunteerism associated with the organization.