Reform UK “war on flags” blasted by Oldham Liberal Democrat boss

8 May 2025
The Lancashire and Yorkshire roses

Reform UK have been slammed for pledging to refuse to fly flags such the Lancashire and Yorkshire roses, and distracting from real issues such as the state of local roads and clearing up fly-tipping.

Following the recent local elections, newly formed groups of Reform UK councillors have pledged that the only flags permitted to be flown on or in council buildings will be the Union Jack and St George's flag.

But the statement has been slammed by Oldham Liberal Democrat Leader councillor Howard Sykes MBE who called Reform’s “war on flags” a “distraction from real issues.”

Councillor Sykes said, “Reform UK are already showing how out of touch they are. With council services in the gutter do they really think flags are a priority? Not to mention the fact that this policy would mean we’d never be able to fly the red rose of Lancashire on Lancashire Day or the white rose on Yorkshire Day. Should we not also fly a flag to show support for our Ukrainian allies or on Armed Forces Day?

“I don’t think anyone takes this sort of thing seriously.  There is just far too much serious work to be getting on with.”

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