Derbyshire County Council's Reform flags policy

Banning the Ukrainian flag from being flown at the Derbyshire County Council headquarters will be among the very first priorities for the new Reform leadership.

This follows a directive from Zia Yusuf, Reform UK’s national party chairman this week, saying that Reform-controlled English councils – including Derbyshire – will only fly either the Union Jack or the St George’s flag.

This includes flags on “flag-poles, balconies, reception desks or council chamber walls”.

A Reform representative has confirmed to the Local Democracy Reporting Service that this directive has been passed to the Derbyshire Reform group, which now controls the council with 42 councillors.

They confirmed that the flag changes will be among the very first things carried out by the group following the first full council meeting on Wednesday, May 21.

The representative clarified that the Derbyshire flag can still be flown, along with other “common sense” exceptions for royal visits or armed forces events – but no others.

Derbyshire County Council’s County Hall headquarters in Matlock has regularly seen the Ukrainian flag flown on the flagpole on the top of the building, along with the LGBTQ pride flag during Pride Month (June 1-30).

The council has also previously illuminated County Hall in blue and yellow – the colours on the Ukraine flag – in solidarity.

County Hall currently helps to organise hosts for Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war following Russia’s invasion. It also connects refugees with mental health and emotional wellbeing support.

It provides £700 a month to host families via money it receives from the central government. The council also provides a free bus pass scheme for Ukrainian refugees.

Melbourne & Woodville division Reform County Councillor Charlotte Hill shared Mr Yusuf’s post to her Facebook page, and clarified in response to one commenter’s query about exceptions: “Derbyshire does have a county flag, light blue and green. This will also be flown along with the royal flag too”.

Repton & Stenson division Reform County Councillor Matthew Benfield also shared Mr Yusuf’s post, and said: “Lets put the pride back in our country and county. Together we can achieve more.”

Jon Pearce, Labour MP for High Peak, said in response to the flag policy: “It has not got off to a good start with the daft decision to ban certain flags being flown over County Hall.

“Many people in High Peak have taken in Ukrainians fleeing Putin’s invasion. To ban the council showing solidarity with Ukrainians, particularly as we celebrate the 80th anniversary of victory in Europe over another tyrant, sends completely the wrong message.”