Reform clarifies council flag policy over Lancashire red rose row

Reform UK has been forced to clarify that it would continue to fly county standards from council buildings after a row over the flying of Lancashire’s red rose flag.

Reform chairman Zia Yusuf had earlier announced that “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”.

In response, Labour MP for Blackpool South, Chris Webb, said Reform was off to “a great start” by “banning” the Lancashire rose. As of Friday, Reform controls Lancashire County Council.

A Reform spokesman later said: “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,” they added.

Lancashire County Council told the BBC the red rose flag would continue to be flown outside its buildings.

Reform took control of 10 local authorities in England at last week’s local elections, including Lancashire, Durham and Staffordshire.

Other Labour and Conservative MPs had also criticised the idea that county flags would not be allowed to fly.

Conservative MP for Hinckley and Bosworth, Dr Luke Evans, asked whether it meant “Leicestershire County Council would not be able to fly the Leicestershire county flag”.

The Tories lost control of Leicestershire County Council, with Reform now the largest party but falling short of an overall majority.

Meanwhile, Labour MP Mike Tapp accused Reform of banning the Ukrainian flag from being flown, and called on the party to reverse the decision.

Mr Tapp, who has represented Dover and Deal since last July, said: “As VE Day reminds us, Britain has a proud history of working with allies to defeat dictators and tyrants.”