Overview

• Reform UK, after gaining control of 10 English councils, implemented a policy restricting flags on council buildings to the Union Jack, St George’s Cross, and county standards.
• The policy prohibits flags representing causes or solidarity, including the Ukrainian flag, Pride flag, and Armed Forces Day flag, sparking backlash across political parties.
• Following criticism, Reform UK clarified that county flags and other national heritage symbols would still be allowed under the policy.
• Labour MP Mike Tapp and others accused the party of undermining support for Ukraine, calling the move a partisan attack and linking it to Nigel Farage’s past comments on Russia.
• Reform UK defended the policy as a celebration of national heritage, contrasting it with what it described as the political symbolism of other flags.