Flag policy 'will promote patriotism' - councillor

Bradford Council has approved a new flag-flying policy, that a Reform UK councillor said would "promote patriotism".

It means only a limited number of flags, including the Union and St George's flags, as well as those of local sports teams, can be flown from flagpoles in Centenary Square.

Previously, Black History Month, Pride and the flags of other countries could be flown. Executive members voted on the policy earlier while a red, yellow and green Black History Month flag was in the square.

Reform councillor Ian Eglin said: "This clear approach across the district will promote patriotism, common civic identity and will more closely unite us in our shared pride."

The move followed an amendment to a previous motion in August which sought to reduce the number of flags that could be flown.

It is now up to the council leader to decide if any flags are to be added to the approved list.

The list also includes the flags of UK nations, which can be flown on their respective saints' days, as well as the Yorkshire and Armed Forces flags, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Councillor Geoff Winnard of the Conservatives described the move as "a positive development".

He said: "The rationalisation of the flag policy has the potential to unify the district and promote community cohesion by removing sectarian flags and removing flags that some people may support, and some people may not."

Councillor Imran Khan, for Labour, said the decision had "taken out a load of flags that are representative of the various communities".

Khan said he was concerned about the decision of future flag inclusions lying with the council leader.

He said: "Nowhere in the motion we voted on does it say the leader gets that authority."

He added: "It just seems like if you are from any other background, you're not welcome here. That's what it comes across as."

Green Party councillor Matt Edwards said the new policy was "not bringing unity, it is bringing disunity".

He pointed out that even the limited number of flags included on the list could still lead to issues and contradictions.

Northern Ireland, while being a constituent part of the UK, does not have its own official flag, he said.

Flying the Union flag on St Patrick's Day instead of the Irish tricolour could also be a "heavily political statement given the situation in Northern Ireland and could be heavily divisive to the Irish community", the councillor added.