Council adopts new flag-flying policy for buildings

Wakefield councillors have voted in favour of adopting a new flag-flying policy.

Under the new protocol, only the Union Jack, the St George's Cross, Yorkshire's white rose and the Armed Forces Day flag will be permitted to be flown from buildings that are owned or managed by the local authority.

Members of the council's controlling Reform UK group voted unanimously in favour of a motion calling for the change at a meeting on Wednesday.

An opposition councillor who voted against the proposal described it as "unsafe and mean-spirited", sending out "a signal of division and exclusion".

Reform councillor Jamie McGrevy tabled the motion, which called for the Armed Forces Day flag to be added to the permitted list but for no others to be flown from council buildings.

He told the meeting the council should "be proud of our English heritage".

"We should no longer feel hesitant about expressing pride in being British and in what the Cross of St George, Union Jack, Armed Forces Day flag and the Yorkshire flag represents.

"For far too long recently, some groups have expressed that they feel uncomfortable or intimidated by our national flag - the British flag, the flag our forefathers fought and died under.

"It is important that we reaffirm that our national symbols belong to everyone and represent our shared history, identity, and values."

McGreavy, who represents Altofts and Whitwood ward, added: "Our council buildings are public institutions - they belong to every resident, regardless of background, belief, or political view.

"Because of that, the symbols we choose to display on them must represent all of us, not just some of us."

He added the chosen selection of flags were "the only flags that meet that test", according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Green Party councillor Kate Dodd spoke against the motion and listed a range of flags which would no longer be allowed to be displayed.

She said: "The flag pole at Featherstone Town Hall, which is managed by the Royal British Legion would not be allowed to fly the Royal British Legion flag.

"Flying the Commonwealth Nations flag would be prohibited even on Commonwealth Day.

"Pontefract Castle, which flies the flag of the Duchy of Lancaster in recognition of the site's connection to the Duchy, would no longer be allowed to fly this flag.

"We would be unable to fly the Merchant Navy flag - even if we wished to celebrate the courageous and often dangerous work of members of the Merchant Navy, such as we have seen recently in the Strait of Hormuz."

Dodd added the council would no longer be able to fly flags to honour visiting dignitaries, including the Royal Family or heads of state.

The flags of Wakefield's seven twin cities would also not be permitted, as well as the NHS flag or any other flag showing support for another nation or cause.

"Wakefield has its own flag, hanging proudly to the left of the mayor in front of us. For what logical reason would we ban flying the Wakefield flag?," she said.

"This motion is unsafe and mean-spirited.

"Everyone in the chamber, and across the district, knows exactly what signal the motion is sending out - it's one of division and exclusion."

Adele Hayes, Liberal Democrat councillor for Knottingley, said: "The motion asks us to bind our own hands and I don't think it's a good thing to do.

"I think the better answer is a liberal one, keep the protocol and let the council leader [Karl Johnson], case by case, make his own judgement."

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.