Reform UK Clarifies Council Flag Ban Policy

Reform UK announced that councils it controls may only fly the Union Jack, St George’s Cross, and county flags after initially proposing a broader ban on all but national flags. The policy was introduced by party chairman Zia Yusuf following Reform's recent electoral gains. It bans the display of other flags, including the LGBT Pride and Ukrainian flags, and has drawn criticism from Labour, Liberal Democrats, and Conservatives, who argue it suppresses solidarity and local identity. Labour MPs specifically condemned the ban on the Ukrainian flag as unpatriotic and accused Reform figures, such as Nigel Farage, of sympathizing with Russia. Reform clarified county flags would be allowed after backlash from Conservative MPs and local representatives. The controversy highlights ongoing debates about patriotism, national unity, and the role of symbolic gestures in local government.