Bradford Council approves new flag policy despite 'not welcome' warnings

Bradford Council has approved its controversial new flag policy, with one Reform Councillor saying it will “promote patriotism” in the District.

But an opposition Councillor has said it will be a message to some of Bradford’s communities that they are “not welcome.”

The new policy, approved by the Reform led Executive on Thursday morning, will mean only a limited number of flags can be flown on the flagpoles in Centenary Square, including the Union Flag, St George’s flag and flags of local sports teams.

The new policy follows a Conservative motion to alter the existing flag policy was narrowly approved by the Full Council this Summer.

The previous policy allows numerous flags to be flown from the Centenary Square flagpoles, including Pride, Black History Month, and flags of other countries.

At an August meeting of the full Council, members voted to amend the policy to reduce the number of flags that can be flown.

The full Council would have to debate any proposal to add to the list.

At the Executive meeting on Thursday, members heard that the new policy had been amended from what was voted for at full Council.

Now it would be up to the Council Leader to decide if any flags are added to the approved list.

The list also includes flags of UK countries that would be flown during their respective Saint’s Days, of local sports teams and flags like the Yorkshire and Armed Forces flags.

Councillor Ian Eglin, Corporate Resources Portfolio Holder, said: “The new policy excludes flags of groups that would promote their own identity or interests.

“This clear approach across the District will promote patriotism, common civic identity and will more closely unite us in our shared pride.”

Councillor Geoff Winnard (Cons, Bingley West) said: “This is a positive development.

“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.”

But he added: “I do have issue that it is up to the leader to have the final say.

“Not this leader necessarily, but other leaders in the future could take the opportunity to propose additional flags to the list that might go against the direction of travel. Future leaders could include flags from everywhere.”

The new policy would also allow the flying of flags of constituent UK countries on relevant Saints days.

Councillor Imran Khan (Lab, Bowling and Barkerend) also raised concern about the decision to allocate future flag decision to the Council Leader.

He said: “I’m increasingly concerned about what the purpose of Full Council is. We agree things at full Council, then it gets changed by the Executive.

“Nowhere in the motion we voted on does it say the leader gets that authority.”

Jason Field, Director of Legal and Governance, said the motion voted by the full Council was to ask the Executive to consider the policy. He added: “It is not a full Council function to determine this policy, it is an Executive function.”

Cllr Khan replied: “That just brings us back to where we were before, but having taken out a load of flags that are representative of the various communities we have across the Bradford District.

“It just seems like if you are from any other background, you’re not welcome here. That’s what it comes across as.”

Cllr Eglin said: “We’re a united kingdom, not just a collection of people from around the world with their own interests. We’re a united kingdom that is integrated.”

Councillor Matt Edwards (Green, Tong) pointed out that even the limited number of flags included on the list might still lead to issues and contradictions.

He said Northern Ireland is a constituent country of the UK, but does not have its own official flag. Cllr Edwards suggested the policy would prevent the flying of the Irish Tricolour, as the Republic of Ireland is not a constituent country of the UK.

It would leave the Council with the possibility that it has to fly the Union flag on St Patrick’s Day would be a “heavily political statement given the situation in Northern Ireland and could be heavily divisive to the Irish community.

He said: “This is not bringing unity, it is bringing disunity.”

Mr Field said a decision on which flag to fly on St Patrick’s day would be up to the Council Executive.

Council Leader Stephen Place replied: “I think we’ll revisit that when we need to.”

The Executive then voted to go ahead with the new flag policy.

While the decision was being made, the Black History Month flag was flying in Centenary Square.