Reform UK leader says Labour ‘at odds with working-class England’ as row erupts over councils flying Union Jack and St George’s cross
Nigel Farage has launched a blistering attack on Labour, accusing the party of “hating the English national flag with a passion” after Pensions Minister Torsten Bell suggested Reform UK should spend less time “worrying” about flags being torn down.
The explosive row erupted after Reform UK announced all 12 of its local authorities have committed to keeping Union and St George’s flags on lampposts, prompting Bell to suggest the party should focus on “improving public services” instead.
Speaking to Sky News, the Swansea West MP said: “Look, my honest view is that if Reform spent more time worrying about improving public services rather than which flags they were either wanting up or wanting to ban, then the country would be a better place.”
Farage’s Damning Verdict
The Reform UK leader delivered a swift and damning response to Bell’s comments, suggesting they revealed Labour’s true attitude towards English patriotism.
I think Torsten Bell reveals the real Labour Party,” Farage said. They hate the English national flag with a passion which puts them at odds with working-class England.
The accusation represents a significant escalation in the culture war over national symbols, with Farage positioning Reform UK as the defender of traditional patriotic values against what he portrays as metropolitan Labour disdain.
Reform’s Flag Flying Policy
The controversy stems from Reform UK’s policy announcement that all councils under its control would ensure Union Jacks and St George’s crosses remain flying from lampposts and council buildings.
Following their success in the May 2025 local elections, where Reform gained control of 10 English councils, the party implemented a strict flag-flying policy. Initially, this appeared to ban all flags except the Union Jack and St George’s cross, sparking criticism that even county flags would be prohibited.
After backlash from Conservative MPs and others, Reform clarified that county flags would also be permitted, with a spokesperson stating: “Reform UK will proudly fly the Union Jack, St George’s flag and county flags. Unlike the Tories and Labour, we are proud of our country and history.
The Birmingham Context
The flag debate has particular resonance following controversies in Birmingham, where the Labour-run council has claimed that flags on lampposts put the lives of pedestrians and motorists “at risk.” This stance has drawn criticism given Birmingham council declared effective bankruptcy in 2023 and has been grappling with bin strikes for more than five months.
Stephen Atkinson, Leader of Lancashire County Council and Chair of the Reform UK Local Government Association group, defended the party’s position: “Reform UK councils are clear: where done sensibly, we fully support the flying of Union and St George flags on lampposts. These flags are not only a sign of unity and inclusion, but also of national pride.
Excluded Flags Controversy
Notably absent from Reform’s approved list are the Ukrainian flag, which many councils have flown in solidarity since Russia’s 2022 invasion, as well as Pride flags and those representing causes such as Black History Month.
This exclusion prompted fierce criticism from Labour MP Mike Tapp, who said: “It tells you all you need to know about Nigel Farage’s Reform that their very first act after winning elections is to ban the Ukrainian flag from our town halls.
Reform has also moved to “defund” Durham Pride, with the council’s Deputy Leader Darren Grimes declaring that “Durham Pride won’t be getting a single penny from this council next year,” arguing taxpayers should not fund “political street theatre.
Labour’s Response
While Bell’s comments triggered Farage’s fierce response, Downing Street has attempted to distance itself from any anti-flag sentiment. A Number 10 spokesman recently claimed Sir Keir Starmer is a “patriot” who backs people flying the flag of St George.
This positioning suggests Labour is aware of the political sensitivity around national symbols and is keen to avoid being portrayed as unpatriotic, particularly given Reform’s attempts to court working-class voters who might traditionally have supported Labour.
Culture War Battleground
The flag controversy represents the latest front in Britain’s ongoing culture wars, with Reform UK positioning itself as the defender of traditional British values against what it characterises as “woke” metropolitan liberalism.
Farage has previously criticised attempts to modify national symbols, including controversial changes to Team GB branding and alterations to the St George’s cross on England football shirts for the European Championships.
“This is really all quite deliberate, an attempt that goes right through much of civil society, right through much of our education system,” Farage argued when discussing previous flag controversies.
Political Implications
The row highlights the challenge facing Labour in maintaining its traditional working-class support base whilst appealing to its newer coalition of metropolitan and progressive voters. Farage’s accusation that Labour is “at odds with working-class England” strikes at this vulnerability.
Recent polling has shown Reform UK at 31 per cent of voter intentions, with Labour and the Conservatives tied at just 19 per cent each, suggesting Farage’s cultural messaging may be resonating with significant portions of the electorate.
The flag debate also underscores Reform’s strategy of using symbolic issues to draw clear distinctions between itself and the established parties, positioning patriotic displays as a litmus test for genuine support of British values.
As one Reform spokesperson put it: “Union flags and the Cross of St George should and will fly across the country. Reform UK will never shy away from celebrating our nation.
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Image Credit (Shortened):
Nigel Farage speaking at CPAC (24 Feb 2017) – by Gage Skidmore, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
