The battle over societal inequality has moved on to less familiar terrain: the Chelsea Flower Show.
TV gardener Alan Titchmarsh has hit back at claims made by Juliet Sargeant, the show's first black designer, that it is dominated by white middle class people. Titchmarsh told The Daily Telegraph Sargeant's comments were "not true" and "not particularly helpful."
Earlier this week, Sargeant said: "People in the last few years have been asking why there aren't more women garden designers and the same with young people, but to date nobody has really asked the question about ethnic minorities and different cultures.
"The horticultural industry is quite a traditional industry and it does seem to lag behind a bit."
But Titchmarsh said: "Anybody who wants to grow things can and anyone who grows things well will be invited to exhibit at the show. Nearly everybody has a front garden.
"Gardening is not a preserve of anyone. Lords, dukes and duchesses can talk about it on a level playing field with ordinary folk.
"I think the great thing about gardening is that it has always been open to all, all kinds of people garden and all kinds of people are represented."
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Josh is a staff writer covering Europe, including politics, policy, immigration and more.
To read how Newsweek uses AI as a newsroom tool, Click here.
