St George’s flags are set to remain on lampposts in Worcestershire, as the Reform UK-run county council has confirmed it has no plans for their removal.
This decision follows a controversy in neighboring Birmingham, where the Labour-led authority removed similar flags, citing safety concerns related to their placement within the street environment.
The removal in Birmingham drew criticism from residents and Reform UK at the national level. Subsequently, St George’s flags appeared on lampposts in Bromsgrove, just across the border from Birmingham.
Reform UK confirmed on Monday evening that its councils would allow the “patriotic flags” to remain, a stance adopted by Worcestershire County Council, which operates as a minority administration.
Earlier on Monday, Worcestershire County Council issued a statement asserting that “lamp columns on the highway should not have anything attached to them, unless agreed by the council.” The council cited potential risks to visibility, proper functioning of lighting, and the safety of individuals attaching items and passers-by as reasons for this policy.
However, following Reform UK’s national pronouncements, the council’s highways lead stated on Tuesday that the flags would remain, while also issuing a renewed safety advisory.
“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 Karl Perks, the council’s cabinet member for highways.
“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.”
In addition to Bromsgrove, St George’s flags have been observed in other areas of Worcestershire, including Hollywood, Wythall, and Worcester.
Council Leader Joanne Monk stated, “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 indicated that mini-roundabouts in Bromsgrove town center that had been painted with red crosses would be addressed by maintenance staff.
This decision may disappoint some residents who expressed their approval of the markings to the BBC, describing them as 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.”
Conversely, Paul Neil, also from Bromsgrove, stated, “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 requested anonymity stated, “I have nothing against any flag, but to me this isn’t about pride – I find it unpleasant.”
Referring to the roundabout paint, a council spokesperson stated, “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.”
Recently in Birmingham, Union and St George’s flags were hung in the Weoley Castle and Northfield areas, with residents describing the act as a display of patriotism.
The city council stated that approximately 200 banners had been removed during street lighting upgrade work. The council added that “unauthorised items” on lampposts could endanger those scaling the structures, as well as motorists and pedestrians.
Residents reacted with a mixture of anger and confusion on local social media platforms, with many questioning the council’s motivations.
A spokesperson for the national Reform UK party stated 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 that the decision “followed both Tower Hamlets Council and Labour-controlled Birmingham City Council shamefully removing the patriotic flags that have been hung from lampposts.”
Reform UK Leader Nigel Farage MP stated, “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 in Tower Hamlets and Birmingham, the prime minister’s official spokesperson, when asked about Sir Keir Starmer’s view of the actions, stated, “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.”
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