A Hampshire town council has ignited a fierce row with residents after installing a controversially altered Union Jack flag outside its town hall, with one critic mockingly suggesting it looked like a bargain buy from online marketplace Temu.
A Flag Cut to Fit
The flag flying outside Whitchurch Town Hall is a significantly trimmed version of the national standard, cut down to fit an angled flagpole. Almost half of the flag's traditional design has been removed, a move that has provoked accusations of disrespect from locals. The council's decision to replace the previous full-sized flag with this modified version has proven deeply unpopular.
Despite the public outcry, the Town Hall Trustees have unanimously agreed to keep the altered flag in place. The council stated it considered various feedback, including comments on its Facebook page, one email, verbal remarks from the public, and noted that no one attended a meeting to raise concerns personally.
Residents Voice Their Anger
The community's reaction has been one of clear and vocal disapproval. Resident Chris Smith stated plainly, 'In my opinion cutting the flag is disrespectful.' Deborah Sanger highlighted the traditions of flag protocol, saying, 'When you think that the Union Flag is supposed to be lowered each day at sundown... you can begin to see that there are particular ways and traditions. I don't think this cut-down version meets the requirements.'
Others connected the issue to wider concerns about council spending. Katie Jane Buckley commented, 'This "angled" flag is an extravagant and unnecessary purchase at a time when our taxes are about to go up and food banks continue to be heavily relied on.' The most biting critique came from John Rampton, who asked, 'Did they buy that flag from Temu?' – a jibe comparing it to cheap imported goods.
The Cost and Defence
The entire project to install the new flag and pole incurred total expenses of £3,779.35. This sum breaks down as £275.80 for the flag itself and a further £3,503.55 for the removal and replacement of the flagpole. The council had considered removing the pole entirely last July but was advised by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council that it was a positive feature of the listed building's character.
In its defence, Whitchurch Town Council pointed to guidance from the UK Flag Institute, which confirmed the display was acceptable for a government building. Trustees also cited a desire to avoid unnecessary expense and consider the climate emergency, noting the flag was still new and replacing it would create waste. A council statement concluded, 'The situation will be reviewed when the flag eventually needs replacing.'
However, this justification did little to placate critics. Local Alex Mitchell responded to the point about low meeting attendance, saying, 'The fact that nobody attended the meeting in person is a moot point given that nobody/very few people attend the meetings anyway.' The altered Union Jack remains a flying symbol of division in Whitchurch.
