A political dispute has emerged in Wirral over national flags being attached to council lampposts. Green Party Councillor Jo Bird has stated the displays have made some residents feel “targeted, confused and scared,” while her political opponents have defended the flags as patriotic and criticised her stance as “virtue signalling.”
The controversy centers on flags, including the St George's Cross, appearing on public property in Bromborough and other areas. Wirral Council has confirmed its policy is to remove any items attached to its property without permission, citing safety risks.
Key Takeaways
- Green Councillor Jo Bird raised concerns that flags on council lampposts in Bromborough are causing fear and intimidation among some residents.
- Conservative and Reform UK representatives have defended the flag displays as expressions of patriotism and national identity.
- Cllr Bird alleged that council workers tasked with removing the flags have faced verbal abuse and threats.
- Wirral Council policy requires the removal of any unauthorised items from public property due to safety concerns.
Councillor Raises Community Safety Concerns
The issue gained public attention after Councillor Jo Bird, who represents the Bromborough ward for the Green Party, voiced concerns about the flags. She and fellow Green councillor Kieran Murphy criticised the displays on The Rake, a road within their ward.
In a statement, Cllr Bird clarified her position, distinguishing between private and public displays. “There’s no problem with people flying national flags on their own home,” she said. “However, new flags on council lamp posts on The Rake in my ward of Bromborough and other parts of the Wirral have left some people feeling targeted, confused and scared. That’s not okay.”
“Our streets should feel safe and be safe for everyone. Many people on the Wirral, including myself have asked the council to take these flags down.”
Allegations of Abuse Towards Council Staff
A significant part of Cllr Bird's argument focused on the impact on municipal employees. She alleged that workers attempting to enforce council policy have been met with hostility.
“Instead of being able to do their work in safety, council workers are having to deal with abuse and threats. That’s really not okay,” she stated. She later added: “Council workers have been verbally abused and faced threats of physical violence for simply doing their job. It is absolutely appalling that right-wing parties in Wirral have not condemned that.”
National Context
The appearance of flags on public infrastructure is part of a wider grassroots movement across the country. While many participants view it as a simple act of patriotism, some commentators have raised concerns about reported links between certain organising groups and far-right ideologies. Cllr Bird specifically referenced a campaign named “Operation Raise the Colours” as being “divisive.”
Political Opponents Respond
Councillor Bird's comments drew a sharp response from opposing political parties in Wirral, who accused her of misinterpreting the public's sentiment.
Conservatives Accuse Greens of 'Virtue Signalling'
The leader of Wirral’s Conservative group, Councillor Green, dismissed the concerns as unfounded. “This is just more virtue signalling from the Green Party,” he said. “To suggest that anyone should be intimidated by our country’s flag is utter rubbish.”
He framed the issue as one of national pride. “The Union Flag and the flag of St George are powerful reminders of our sense of identity as a country. Wirral’s Conservative councillors stand with those patriots who are proud to fly our country’s flag and all it represents.”
Reform UK Views Flags as Protest
David Burgess-Joyce of Reform UK offered a different perspective, characterising the flag-flying as a form of protest by residents who feel their values are being overlooked.
“The recent spate of flag-flying by patriotic Wirral residents is not a sign of intimidation but a genuine concern that their British values, sense of place, and society are being completely eroded,” he explained.
“That place they all grew up in, that high-trust society, is being replaced with a feeling that everyone else’s beliefs and needs are more important than theirs, and a breaking-point has been reached.”
Council Policy on Public Property
Wirral Council's official stance is neutral and based on established policy rather than the content of the displays. The council prioritises public safety and the integrity of its infrastructure, which includes streetlights, signs, and other assets.
Wirral Council Confirms Removal Policy
In response to inquiries, Wirral Council outlined its standard procedure for items placed on public property without authorisation. A spokesperson for the local authority provided a clear statement on the matter.
“As a general policy we will remove any items that have been attached or otherwise added to public property without permission,” the spokesperson said. “This is because there are a number of safety risks associated with people taking it upon themselves to display items on street furniture, such as lighting columns, road signs and other highway assets.”
The council did not, however, provide a comment or confirmation regarding the specific reports that its workers had faced abuse or threats while carrying out their duties in relation to the flags.
