Reporter, BBC Hereford & Worcester
BBCSt George flags look set to stay on lampposts in Worcestershire after the county council, run by Reform UK, confirmed it had no plans to remove them.
It follows a row in neighbouring Birmingham in which the Labour-led authority, citing safety concerns, removed flags that had emerged within the street scene.
The move prompted criticism from some residents and also Reform UK at national level. Flags appeared on a series of lampposts in Bromsgrove, across the border, thereafter.
The national party confirmed on Monday evening that its councils would leave “patriotic flags” as they were, with Worcestershire County Council – a minority administration – adopting the stance.
Earlier on Monday, the authority had issued a statement saying “lamp columns on the highway should not have anything attached to them, unless agreed by the council”. This, the council said, was to ensure there was no risk to visibility, or the proper functioning of the lighting, or the safety of those attaching items plus that of passers-by and motorists.
Following the national party’s comments, the council’s highways lead said on Tuesday that the flags would stay, and issued a fresh safety message.
“There are many ways that people can show their pride by flying the St George’s flag – in your own front and back gardens, on your cars, in your windows and on community buildings where agreed by the whole community,” said the council’s cabinet member for highways Karl Perks.
“Climbing up lampposts and attaching flags to them may not be the best thing to do, mostly because it’s dangerous and could cause damage. There are no specific plans to remove the flags.”
Flags have emerged in other areas of Worcestershire in addition to Bromsgrove, including Hollywood, Wythall and Worcester.
Leader of the council Joanne Monk said: “In Worcestershire, we are proud of our English and British identities.
“I of course support flying both flags proudly throughout the county. Our national flags are a symbol of our national pride, and I will champion efforts that celebrate our nation.”
However, a council spokesperson said mini-roundabouts in Bromsgrove town centre that had been painted with red crosses would be addressed by maintenance staff.
That may cause disappointment among some residents who told the BBC they approved of the markings, calling them a symbol of national pride.
Bromsgrove resident Terry Johns, 71, said: “I think it’s brilliant – all the islands should be like that. We should fly the flag more often – if you go to America, like I’ve done, you see it everywhere, on all the public buildings and schools.”
Another resident added: “I quite like it, I certainly don’t find it offensive.”
But Paul Neil, also from Bromsgrove, said: “It’s a nuisance – council services are stretched as it is. Have they really got to go around cleaning this up?
“It’s also distracting to drivers. I don’t see what point they are trying to make.”
A woman who wished not to be named said: “I have nothing against any flag, but to me this isn’t about pride – I find it unpleasant.”
With reference to the roundabout paint, a council spokesperson said: “All road markings on the county’s highway network are strictly regulated for safety, including those on roundabouts of any size.
“Changes to agreed road markings must not be made other than by approved contractors, in line with these regulations.
“Unofficial actions on the highway network could be distracting or cause confusion to some road users so will therefore be removed.”
‘Shameful’
In recent weeks in Birmingham, Union and Cross of St George flags have been hung in the Weoley Castle and Northfield areas of the city, which locals said had been done as an act of patriotism.
The city council said about 200 banners had been removed while engineers worked to upgrade street lighting. It added that “unauthorised items” on lampposts could be putting the lives of not only those scaling the furniture at risk, but those of motorists and pedestrians.
But residents reacted with a mix of anger and confusion on local social media groups, with many querying the council’s motives.
A spokesperson for the national Reform UK party said on Monday evening: “All 12 Reform UK-controlled councils across the country have today committed that they will not be removing Union and St George Cross flags from lampposts.”
They added the move “followed both Tower Hamlets Council and Labour-controlled Birmingham City Council shamefully removing the patriotic flags that have been hung from lampposts”.
Leader of Reform UK Nigel Farage MP said: “Union flags and the Cross of St George should and will fly across the country. Reform UK will never shy away from celebrating our nation.”
Following the removals under Tower Hamlets and Birmingham, the prime minister’s official spokesperson, when asked for comment on Sir Keir Starmer’s view of the actions, said: “I think the PM has always talked about his pride of being British, the patriotism he feels.
“Patriotism will always be an important thing to him.”
When asked whether the prime minister approved of putting up English flags, his spokesperson said: “Absolutely, patriotism, putting up English flags. We put up English flags all around Downing Street every time the English football team – women’s and men’s – are out trying to win games for us.”
