Reform UK has announced a controversial new policy: councils under its control will no longer fly the Pride flag or any flags other than the Union Jack, the St George’s Cross, and official county flags.
The move, which party leaders say is intended to restore “neutrality” on government buildings, has sparked widespread criticism from LGBTQ+ organisations, political opponents, and human rights advocates.
The announcement was made by Reform UK’s chairman Zia Yusuf, who stated that no other flags will be permitted on council flagpoles, balconies, reception desks, or council chamber walls. That includes the rainbow flag, the transgender flag, and even the flag of Ukraine, which has been widely flown across the UK in solidarity during the ongoing war.
“This is about restoring dignity and impartiality to our public buildings,” Yusuf said. “Flags should represent everyone—not divide.”
The policy is already being implemented across the 10 English councils where Reform UK holds local control, including Durham, Kent, Lancashire, Staffordshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Doncaster, North Northamptonshire, West Northamptonshire, and Lincolnshire.
However, LGBTQ+ campaigners argue that the policy strips public spaces of symbols that affirm the rights, identities, and histories of minority communities. A spokesperson for Stonewall UK responded: “The Pride flag is not about division. It’s about visibility, safety, and solidarity. This decision is a deliberate step backwards.”
The backlash has also extended beyond the LGBTQ+ community. Labour MP James Frith criticised the ban on the Ukrainian flag, calling it “a dangerous and ill-timed move” that undermines the UK’s commitment to international solidarity, especially during commemorations such as VE Day.
In response to criticism, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage defended the policy on television, stating: “Public buildings are not the place for ideological symbolism. We are enforcing standards of neutrality and national unity.”
But opponents argue that this framing misunderstands what flags like the rainbow represent. LGBTQ+ historian and writer Hannah Deakin explained: “The Pride flag doesn’t represent an ideology—it represents people. It’s a symbol that says ‘you are welcome here.’”
While the full implementation timeline has not been made public, Reform UK councillors are reportedly being instructed to review and enforce the policy immediately. Some councils may also be required to take down existing flags or remove rainbow-themed decorations from buildings and reception areas.
Local activists across the affected regions are planning peaceful protests and campaigns to challenge the policy, calling it a “ban on inclusion.” One petition, launched in Doncaster, gathered over 10,000 signatures in its first 48 hours.
“Pride flags on council buildings are more than just symbols,” said Doncaster resident and teacher Alex Marks. “They’re public statements of care and respect. This ban feels like erasure.”
The policy announcement has once again brought to the fore the wider debate about how identity, politics, and symbolism intersect in British public life. For many LGBTQ+ individuals and allies, it’s not just about flags — it’s about being seen, supported, and safe.