Councillor apologises after raising voice in defence of St George’s flag

Prominent Derbyshire County Councillor Stephen Reed was forced to apologise to a member of the public after he was accused of shouting during a fervoured and impassioned speech in defence of the Reform UK-led authority’s continued flying of the St George’s flag.

A member of the public raised concerns during a meeting at County Hall, in Matlock, on December 10, of what she called the misuse of the flag by the far-right and racist groups who she claims have threatened social cohesion and disturbed racial minorities.

She asked if the Reform UK-controlled council would reconsider its decision to fly the St George’s flag among prominent flags on public buildings and asked if the Union flag is not sufficient because it represents the whole of Britain.

Reform UK Cllr Stephen Reed, Cabinet Member for Business Services, told the meeting the flag stands for ‘unity and inclusion’ and that when others focus on other things you end up causing division and that the council stands for a united Britain and a united country.

As Cllr Reed raised his voice above applause and cheers from fellow Reform UK councillors, he added that there are four countries in the UK and the council is proud of that fact and he proudly wears the flag after he was born in Australia but he is British and English.

Opposition Liberal Democrat Leader, Cllr Ed Fordham, told the meeting: “We talk about code of conduct, how we conduct ourselves. Passion is one thing but shouting at a member of the public is intolerable.”

The flag movement which has seen streets festooned with St George and Union flags has triggered continued debate since it gathered momentum across Derbyshire including in Chesterfield, Staveley, Matlock, Gamesley and elsewhere in the UK with accusations of racism following the launch of the Operation Raise the Colours campaign in the name of national pride and patriotism.

Opposition Green Party Cllr Rachel Hatchett said: “I think it is unacceptable for people in this chamber to shout.”

Some supporters of Operation Raise the Colours have rejected claims that putting up flags is part of a far-right movement or that it has any racist connotations over concerns about immigration difficulties in the UK.

Cllr Reed said: “It’s a passionate subject. If the member of the public feels I have caused offence I do apologise for that because it was not the intent.”

Some of the public have expressed opposition to what they believe is the misrepresentation of the St George’s flag by those with concerns over immigration and some have raised concerns at the number of unauthorised flags on lampposts which they fear pose division and discomfort for minority groups.

Labour Government Devolution Minister Jim McMahon said during a visit to Derbyshire how he is proud of the St George and Union flags as a form of national identity and he sees them as positive despite the growing concerns of their symbolism in light of the UK immigration crisis.