Labour council orders removal of St George and Union flags from public spaces
A Labour council in Derby has ordered the removal of St George and Union flags from all public spaces.
It comes as the main party seeks to share a message of “patriotic renewal” at its annual conference in Liverpool.
On Monday, Derby City Council started taking down flags from bridges, walls, and lampposts, according to Good Morning Britain.
It has already sparked backlash in the local area.
Jonathan Swain, GMB’s Senior News Correspondent, said: “In Derby, like many towns, cities and villages around the country, they have been proudly displaying, in their words, the St George’s Cross. Also the Union Jack is on the lampposts around this city, also on the roundabouts, on bridges and in people’s homes.
“That started off as this grassroots campaign for people to feel pride in Britain and in England, but for some as well, it was also in response to what they’re seeing of those boats, small boats, crossing the Channel, of all that increase in numbers of illegal immigration.
“Well, today here in Derby, the flags, ironically, are being pulled down on a day where the government is talking about patriotic renewal.”