Dezeen Magazine

David Shrigley urges government to "keep Britain kind" with new illustrations

Off the back of the UK's general election, British artist David Shrigley has made a plea to the Conservative government to champion the country's diversity and abolish laws that attack human rights.

Shrigley created a series of illustrations for a campaign named Keep Britain Kind, initiated by human rights organisations Liberty.

The illustrations were released soon after Thursday's election, which has seen Theresa May's Conservatives form a minority government with the support of Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). Shrigley hopes the campaign makes UK residents "think about the kind of country we want to be".

"Days like today are a chance to think about the kind of country we want to be and decide if we're happy with what's being done in our name," said Shrigley. "Division, discrimination and public attacks on our human rights aren't what our country's politics should be built on."

"At times like these, we need to unite and champion all that's best about the UK – our humour, our diversity and our capacity for kindness – and tell our new government that we won't accept the politics of fear. I think this campaign sums that message up."

Following the election, the Tories remain the largest party in parliament. But they only won 318 seats, eight short of the majority needed to form government, resulting in a hung parliament.

The result has been viewed as a triumph for Jeremy Corbyn's Labour party, which has gained 30 seats, bringing it to 262. It is the first time the Labour party has gained seats in an election since 1997.

But May has now formed a minority government with the support of the DUP – a partnership that has met with some criticism due to the party's views on same-sex marriage and abortion.

According to the Guardian, the DUP "used a controversial veto mechanism to block any change to legislation" to same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland, where it is currently illegal.

It has also tirelessly fought the extension of abortion rights to Northern Ireland, with party leader Arlene Foster telling the newspaper that she "would not want abortion to be as freely available here as it is in England".

Architects and designers have expressed "mixed emotions" towards the election result, while the Creative Industries Federation said it should spell the end for a hard Brexit.