London’s only Reform council cancels Pride and ‘will not fly flag’

The first Reform-led council in London will not fly the Pride flag this month, saying the Union Flag sufficiently represents everyone.

The first Reform-led council in London will not fly the Pride flag this month, saying the Union Flag sufficiently represents everyone. The corresponding Pride flag ceremony in Havering has also been scrapped, just days before it was due to take place. Councillor Keith Prince, the new leader of Havering Council, said the administration was updating its local policies to be in line with Reform’s national stance on flags.

Under the new Reform leadership, the only flags on public buildings will be the national Union Flag, the St. George’s Cross, and the Havering Council flag.

That rules out the Ukrainian flag and the rainbow Pride flag, both which were flown in front of the town hall under the previous Havering Residents Association (HRA) administration.

“The Union Flag represents our country and as such is inclusive of all our residents,” Cllr Prince said. “The only other events we will be flying flags for will be to recognise our heroes like the armed forces and veterans who do so much for our country.”

June is Pride month in countries such as the UK, Ireland, the US, and Canada. The corresponding Pride flag ceremony in Havering has also been scrapped, just days before it was due to take place.

Green Party leader Zack Polanski called the move “Trumpian nonsense,” while a spokesperson for LGBT charity Kaleidoscope said the lack of a Pride flag was “devastating” but “would not erase the LGBTQ community in Havering”.

Barry Mugglestone, HRA councillor for Elm Park and former deputy mayor, said he was “disappointed” by the decision.

“I am disappointed that the Reform administration at Havering Council has refused to fly the Pride flag, when openly saying they support our Armed Forces community,” he said.

“We need to remember that now lesbian, gay, bisexual personnel are fully integrated and welcome to serve openly in the UK armed forces.”

London’s annual pride parade will be held on 4th July, taking place down Kingsway.

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