Reform accused of searching for ban on flying Ukrainian flags over council structures

Reform UK has been accused of searching for to “ban” the flying of Ukrainian flags over council structures after the hard-right birthday celebration stated best the St George’s and union flags could be flown by means of English councils it controls.

The birthday celebration’s chair, Zia Yusuf, sparked controversy on Monday with a foray into the political tradition wars by means of saying that the coverage could be adopted by means of the 10 native government in England it took keep an eye on of in ultimate week’s native elections.

“Reform-controlled English councils will move at speed to resolve that the only flags permitted to be flown on or in its buildings will be the Union Jack and St George’s flag,” he stated on X.

“No other flags will be permitted to be flown on its flagpoles, balconies, reception desks or council chamber walls.”

While Yusuf’s announcement was once observed as concentrated on rainbow or delight flags, the birthday celebration was once later compelled to answer assaults by means of Labour and Conservative MPs who criticised the concept county flags would now not be allowed to fly.

A Reform spokesperson later stated: “Reform UK will proudly fly the Union Jack, St George’s flag and county flags. Unlike the Tories and Labour, we are proud of our country and history.”

However, the birthday celebration was once additionally attacked for a coverage that might it appears spell the tip of councils flying Ukrainian flags in unity with the rustic after Russia introduced its full-scale invasion. The Ukrainian flag was once flying above Grimsby the town corridor ultimate week the place the birthday celebration celebrated one among its key victories, the taking of the newly created Greater Lincolnshire mayoralty.

Mike Tapp, the Labour MP for Dover and Deal, stated on Monday: “As VE Day reminds us, Britain has a proud history of working with allies to defeat dictators and tyrants.

“It tells you all you need to know about Nigel Farage’s Reform that their very first act after winning elections is to ban the Ukrainian flag from our town halls, in this of all weeks.

“Farage and Reform councillors should stop sucking up to Moscow and drop their ban on flying the Ukrainian flag immediately.”

The place of Nigel Farage and others related to Reform in opposition to Russia has lengthy been probably the most birthday celebration’s achilles heels.

One of Labour’s common assault strains towards Farage, who was once criticised for suggesting the west “provoked” Russia’s invasion of Ukraine by means of increasing the EU and Nato eastwards, has been to accuse him of “fawning” over Vladimir Putin.

Reform UK took keep an eye on of 10 councils in England eventually week’s native elections, together with Durham, Lancashire, Staffordshire and Kent. It may be the most important birthday celebration in quite a lot of native government together with Leicestershire county council.

The Conservative MP for Hinckley and Bosworth, Dr Luke Evans, requested whether or not it intended “Leicestershire county council would not be able to fly the Leicestershire county flag”.