Families of those who perished in the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire are voicing strong opposition to UK government plans to demolish the building’s remains, which they believe should be preserved as a memorial to the 72 lives lost. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner recently met with bereaved relatives and survivors to discuss the demolition ahead of an impending official announcement. Grenfell United, a group representing some victims’ families, expressed frustration at feeling disregarded in the decision-making process and noted that Rayner could not clarify her reasoning or the extent of consultations with survivors.
While some view the tower’s presence as a necessary reminder of the tragedy, others argue that redeveloping the site could facilitate community healing. Government officials have remained tight-lipped about their rationale for the demolition, despite a prior commitment to leave the site untouched until at least the eighth anniversary of the disaster in June. The public inquiry into the fire revealed systemic failures by the government, regulators, and the construction industry, which contributed to transforming Grenfell Tower into a “death trap,” exacerbated by the use of combustible cladding.