Reform has affirmed its decision to proceed with plans to overturn the previous administration’s flag policy at Leicestershire County Council.
During its inaugural cabinet meeting on June 12, the party rescinded a previously established schedule for flags to be flown outside County Hall in Glenfield, which encompassed those commemorating LGBTQ+ Pride Month, Windrush Day, among others.
However, the matter was remanded to the cabinet following concerns raised by the authority’s scrutiny commission, which asserted the council should delineate the specific flags to be displayed on the fourth pole within the quadrangle.
The issue was deliberated upon at a meeting on Thursday, during which Reform councillor Michael Squires stated that the revised policy promoted “beautiful patriotic flags.”
Subsequently, the cabinet ratified that the union flag would be flown from the designated flagpole, which will also be utilized to commemorate events such as Armed Forces Day, Commonwealth Day, and Armistice Day.
The authority further stipulated that flags recognizing “exceptional national or international events” may also be flown from this pole, subject to the approval of the chief executive in consultation with the council leader.
Last month, a cohort of 102 social workers at the council addressed a letter to the new Reform UK cabinet, articulating their belief that the display of community flags served as a “vitally important” symbol of the authority’s commitment to “supportive of marginalised groups.”
The letter further contended: “Removing these flags promotes exclusion and marginalisation – it implies people represented by those flags are not welcome.”
Squires informed the cabinet that concerns had also been voiced by BAME, LGBT, and disability staff networks regarding the public sector equality duty.
He added: “As a member who is gay, mixed race and has autism, I belong to all three groups as a member who has protected characteristics.
“My view is the most inclusive policy for everybody in the council, staff, officers and members, would be to display politically neutral flags which demonstrates the council’s commitment to equality for everybody.”
The authority clarified that the three poles at the front of the building would continue to fly the union flag, the county council’s flag, and the St George’s flag, or the Lord Lieutenant’s flag, in accordance with the previous protocol.
Council leader Dan Harrison stated: “The new approach is the simplest and most inclusive. It represents every single person in this county and means we can mark our heritage and culture.
“Let me be clear – this is not about division, it’s about celebrating values which unite us all. We remain absolute in our commitment to not tolerating abuse or discrimination.”
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