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Reform pledges to ban all flags except Union Jack, St George's Cross and county flags on public buildings.
Labour have raised concerns about the Ukrainian flag being banned from flying, while Conservatives have highlighted the initial announcement's exclusion of county flags.
Reform says the latter will be allowed due to national heritage.
Tim Baker Political reporter
Monday 5 May 2025 15:04, UK
A St George Cross flag above 10 Downing Street in London, the official residence of the British Prime A row has erupted after Reform UK pledged to ban local authorities from flying any flags aside from the Union Jack or the St George's Cross in councils they control.
In last week's local elections, Reform UK gained control of 10 councils, two mayoralties and won more than 500 council seats.
And after saying last week they want to end all diversity and equality hire roles, another policy was announced this morning by party chairman Zia Yusuf.
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He said on social media that Reform-controlled councils will move "at speed" to ensure the only flag that will be flown on public authority buildings "will be the Union Jack and the St George's flag".
He added: "No other flags will be permitted to be flown on flag-poles, balconies, reception desks or council-chamber walls."
The announcement quickly drew criticism from across the political divide - including from Labour, Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives.
Labour MPs, including Dover and Deal's Mike Tapp, said this would stop councils flying the Ukrainian flag.
Mr Tapp said: "Reform are to ban the flying of Ukrainian flags from public buildings. A gesture of solidarity we see across the whole country."
He then branded the party: "Putin's puppets."
This is an attack line often used by the prime minister in Prime Minister's Questions, with Sir Keir Starmer accusing Nigel Farage of "fawning" over the Russian leader.
During last year's election campaign, the Reform leader reiterated his belief that the West and NATO had "provoked" Russia's invasion of Ukraine - though said it was "of course" Vladimir Putin's "fault".
In 2014, he said Mr Putin was the statesman he most admired. Farage: NATO expansion 'provoked' Ukraine war Farage: NATO expansion 'provoked' Ukraine war Richard Tice, Reform's deputy leader, proceeded to mock Mr Tapp on social media, replying with a series of water drop emojis and saying "drip, drip, drip" - adding: "Oh, it's the Tapp again".