The Lib Dems have called for superstar Taylor Swift to be awarded the Freedom of the City of London after “filling blank space” in the UK economy with her Eras Tour
Taylor Swift should be given the Freedom of the City of London after “filling the blank space” in the UK economy, MPs have demanded.
Theย Lib Demsย want the US superstar to be recognised after her Eras Tour was estimated to boost British coffers by ยฃ1billion. The capital benefitted from an extra ยฃ200million, it is estimated.
The Karma singer has been praised for donating to food banks in cities where she’s performed. Tens of thousands of fans packed into arenas across the UK as Taylor, 34, brought her tour to these shores. Barclays Bank estimates that as a result of fans purchasing tickets, travel, accommodation, outfits, food and merchandise, a massive ยฃ997million has been injected into the British economy.
It is estimated the tour boosted London’s economy by ยฃ300millionย (ย Image:ย AFP via Getty Images)
And the London Assembly reckons the impact on the capital will be worth ยฃ300million. Lib Dem Treasury spokeswoman Sarah Olney, who represents Richmond Park in London, said: “Her decorated 18-year career has been one of endless philanthropy and using her platform to bring reforms to the music industry, all while releasing chart-topping hits and breaking record after record.
โButย Taylor Swiftย is now on track to achieve her most impressive feat yet; patching part of the blank space the Conservative government left in the British economy after years of neglect. The Eras Tour has provided hours of joy to the thousands of fans attending the shows, but the real legacy of Taylor Swiftโs tour will be the lifeline it provides to our economy, so it is only right that she be recognised with Londonโs highest honour.โ
The singer has been praised for the impact of her Eras Tour
The singer will have performed a total of 15 shows in the UK this summer – including performances in Liverpool, Edinburgh, Cardiff and London. Eight of those shows were at Wembley Stadium.
Additionally, theย Liberal Democratsย believe her work securing streaming royalties for other artists signed to the same record label as her and the huge donations she has made to food banks in London during her Eras Tour stops qualifies Taylor Swift to receive the Freedom of the City.
An Early Day Motion tabled by the Lib Dems calls on MPs to recognise the “substantial economic impact” of the Eras Tour, and to acknowledge the effect of “Swiftonomics”.