It always boils down to the flags, somehow. While local councils are responsible for some very serious things – the housing of the homeless, provision of services for the needy – the burning issue at the top of the agenda for those ten councils taken over by Reform UK is the removal of the gay rainbow flag from council premises. And not just the rainbow flag but also any flag that demonstrates support for Ukraine, which makes sense in the light of Farage cosying up to Putin, the world leader he has said he most admires, and his condemnation of Ukraine as provoking the Russian invasion. Nice people!
Under the new rules, reminiscent of rules put in place by the Trump regime as soon as it got into power, the only flags permitted will be the Union Jack, St George’s flag, and various county flags.
Chairman Zia Yusuf announced, ‘Reform-controlled English councils will move at speed’ to enforce a policy where only the Union Jack and St George’s flag may be displayed on or within council buildings. Speed, you hear. This is urgent stuff. The new ruling includes flagpoles, balconies, reception areas, and walls of council chambers. Maybe even lapels.
Labour MP Mike Tapp responded to the announcement, highlighting the implications of such a ban on the Ukrainian flag. He pointed out that it coincided with a poignant moment, given the recent commemoration of VE Day, which celebrates cooperation among nations to defeat tyranny.
But then how unsurprising is it that in the week that we celebrate the defeat of fascism in Europe, so many went out to vote for fascism in the UK itself.
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