Overview

• Reform UK, following its local election gains, will enforce a policy allowing only the Union Jack, St George’s Cross, and county flags to be flown on council properties under its control.
• The exclusion of Ukrainian flags, a symbol of solidarity during Russia’s ongoing invasion, has drawn sharp criticism from Labour and Conservative MPs, with accusations of undermining international support.
• The policy also bans flags representing social movements, including the Pride flag, aligning with Reform’s broader anti-progressive agenda.
• Reform clarified that county flags, initially omitted, will be allowed after backlash from MPs who argued the ban erased local heritage and identity.
• The timing of this announcement, coinciding with VE Day commemorations, has intensified scrutiny of Reform UK’s stance on patriotism and its leader Nigel Farage’s past remarks on Vladimir Putin.