Council says ‘Brummies proud to be British’

Birmingham City Council has said Brummies are “proud to be British” after the local Conservatives waded into the ongoing flag debate.

The Labour-run council has issued a new statement this week after the Union Jack and St George’s Cross were hung in neighbourhoods across the city, including Weoley Castle and Northfield.

Many of the flags are attached to lampposts and other highway infrastructure, and some are spotted on major roads such as the A38 in south Birmingham.

The appearance of the flags has sparked a passionate debate, with those responsible describing it as a patriotic move to celebrate the country’s history and achievements.

But it has also sparked concern from others amid claims those responsible are politically motivated and seeking to stir up division within the city.

Amid this tension, the Conservative group at the council has now called on the Labour administration to focus on cutting down flyposting and “not our national flags”.

“When there was a clear highway threat, with fly posting partially covering traffic lights, the Labour-run council felt that six months was an acceptable timescale for taking action,” Tory councillor Robert Alden said.

“Which is clearly a ridiculous length of time.

“Yet when our national flag is flown in public spaces, something we should all be able to take pride in, Labour becomes desperate to rip it down as quickly as possible.”

He continued: “We want to be crystal clear – it is absolutely unacceptable for the council to prioritise the removal of our national flag, in locations where it is not causing an immediate risk, over clearing flyposting, which is a blight on so many roads across the city – especially at traffic junctions.

“We are calling on the council to commit to clearing all the flyposting in the city before they even think about touching a St George’s Cross or Union Jack flag flying.”

In response, a Birmingham City Council spokesperson said the local authority ‘proudly flies’ the Union Flag outside the council house every day.

“We recognise the importance of the Union Flag and Flag of St George as symbols of national pride,” they said.

“Brummies are proud to be British and proud that this is a welcoming city celebrating many different cultures.”

They continued: “When it comes to items attached to lamp posts, it is normal council procedure for these to be removed on a regular basis, in line with our health and safety obligations.

 “As has always been the case, people are free to fly or hang flags from their homes or gardens, but we ask that they are not attached to street furniture.”

The city council issued a statement last week about its ongoing work to upgrade street lighting in the city, which will involve taking down ‘attachments’ from lampposts.

“Work is due to begin imminently, and lamp columns need to remain free from attachments so work can be carried out as quickly and safely as possible,” it said.

“Lampposts and other street furniture need to be protected which is why highways staff across the city removed around 200 advertising banners and flags that had been attached to lampposts since the start of this year.

“They take down attachments from lampposts routinely, including advertising signs, bunting trails and flags.”

The council went on to say that people who attach unauthorised items to lampposts could be “putting their lives and those of motorists and pedestrians at risk”.

The listed risks include falling debris, electrical hazards, obscured visibility and weakening of the lamppost.

“We’re continuing to do this every week and would ask that staff doing this work be allowed to continue this work unhindered,” it added.