Durham County Council, led by Reform UK, has begun removing St George's crosses and union flags from lampposts and roundabouts, citing public safety concerns. The council stated on X that a risk assessment found the rope used in bunting was so strong that a high-sided vehicle could pull down the poles it was attached to.
The council said it had been 'left with no choice but to remove bunting' and encouraged residents to display flags in safer locations not involving highway infrastructure. The move comes amid growing controversy over flag displays across England, with some viewing them as patriotic and others linking them to far-right sentiment.
Deputy council leader Darren Grimes, a Reform UK member, has been vocal on X about flag displays, posting a video captioned 'This isn't just flying a flag. It's the start of the fightback.' Reform MP Lee Anderson has also called for union flags to be flown from every public building.
Other councils, including Lib Dem-run Hertfordshire and Labour-run Brighton, have also removed flags, citing health and safety obligations. The debate has attracted international attention, with Elon Musk posting a St George's cross and US Vice-President JD Vance urging Britons to 'push back against crazies' criticising flag displays.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has not commented on the recent controversy but said on St George's Day in April that 'we've got to reclaim' the flag, adding that 'it belongs to all of us.'
