Newly elected MP Ben Obese-Jecty faced an unexpected backlash today after criticising the joker who placed a traffic cone on the head of a statue of Oliver Cromwell. “In St. Ives this morning and it’s disappointing to see the statue of Oliver Cromwell with a traffic cone still on top of it,” he posted to Facebook.
“If we want our town centre to thrive we have to address the small things that could make it a better place for people to visit as well as the bigger issues.”
But the MP and former Army officer – whose newly created constituency also includes Huntingdon and Godmanchester – was criticised for lacking a sense of humour.
Dave wrote: “Ollie has to wear a cone occasionally because it gives drunken idiots something to do, and it shows St Ivians have a warm sense of humour- lighten up”.
Brigette says that “it’s not the first time this has happened, nor will it be the last. It’s quite funny”.
And Amy believed you can “never trust a Tory to have a sense of humour”.
Dozens have posted comments – only an occasional commentator came even close to supporting their MP.
Alys wrote: “Many Tories have a similar attitude towards women which wouldn’t be out of place during Oliver Cromwell’s rule Of all the issues and problems which are preventing St Ives from thriving, this is of course the most pressing one.”
Chrissie said: “I’m sorry but this made me laugh. I really don’t think this is an issue which should cause any reflection of St Ives as a desirable place to live. A sense of humour is a marvellous thing. Rather fitting for Oily as by all accounts he was a rather too serious bloke.”
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Meal asked the MP – ‘Jeeze where’s your sense of humour. Not like it’ll be permanently up there, and it could have been worse “
Lesley chipped in to add that “I have to say that potholes, all the weeds blighting our streets and the speeding traffic are more of a concern for me”. Of the cone on Cromwell’s head, Lesley added: “I think it suits him.”
Graham felt that “if only the Tories were so concerned about unemployment, the cost of living crisis, education, law and order”.
Lisa thought the cone on Cromwell’s head “one of the best things about the town”.
And David reminded the MP that “in the 60s they put a dead rabbit in his hand”.
Jake thought it would support tourism if allowed to stay.
“I’m actually more inclined to visit because of the traffic cone,” he wrote.
Grayson urged the MP: “Get a grip of yourself man. On a positive note, your predecessor would not have even spotted the cone.”
Robert reminded the MP that “on a historical note the statue was offered to Huntingdon but despite Cromwell being born there the townspeople of Huntingdon refused to take it and St Ives took it instead. I wonder if the same decision would be made today.”
And Dave added that “if Banksy did this it would be art”.
Some agreed with the MP.
Mary said: “Frankly I would rather see his statute totally removed from the town centre. Never mind the traffic cone!! Dislike everything about this historical figure.
“Put a beautiful tree in its place! Would be a much better feature!! Oh, and yes surely the state of our roads/potholes are a much more important issue?!”
Trip Advisor reflects on the statue in some of its customer reviews.
A couple who visited this year wrote: “Cromwell blew up the famous bridge in the town.
“He ransacked Ireland in a brutal and murderous conquest. He did the right thing and died in 1658
“And right in the middle of St Ives is a statue that the townsfolk of Huntingdon didn’t want there.”
A review from 2021 reminds the MP that a traffic cone on Cromwell’s head is not unusual.
“A pleasant statue,” one visitor observed “that would have looked a bit better without the traffic cone that was on his head during my visit”.
The statue of Oliver Cromwell was built in 1901 by F. W. Pomeroy. Oliver Cromwell was a MP for Huntingdon and Cambridge between 1628 and 1642.
In 1899 Huntingdon their plan to erect a statue to Cromwell, and the opportunity was seized by St Ives.
Pomeroy was commissioned as the sculptor; it is the only statue of Cromwell in England that was funded by public donations.
