A Reform UK councillor has sparked controversy within his own party after threatening to pursue criminal damages against anyone painting roundabouts with the St George’s Cross, describing the patriotic activism as “vandalism” that costs taxpayers money.
Karl Perks, the Reform councillor in charge of highways and transport at Worcestershire County Council, issued a Facebook statement yesterday warning that those responsible for painting red crosses on local roundabouts would face serious legal action, putting him at odds with his party’s full-throated support for the ‘flagtivist’ movement sweeping across England.
The internal dispute comes as roundabouts across Bromsgrove, Birmingham and other areas have been painted with England’s national colours amid a wave of patriotic flags being attached to lampposts throughout the country in what organisers call “Operation Raise the Colours.”
Councillor Perks said: “What I cannot condone are acts of vandalism, costing tax payers money, this is exactly what the illegal painting of red crosses on local roundabouts will do. This act of vandalism will cost our County Council money to rectify.”
He added: “As the Cabinet Member for Highways for Worcestershire County Council, I will be seeking criminal damages so that every other tax payer in the county does not pay for this.”
Party at Odds Over Response
The transport spokesman’s hardline stance appeared to contradict the unified support for the flag movement issued just hours earlier by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and all 12 Reform-controlled council leaders across England.
In a joint statement, the Reform council leaders pledged not to remove any flags erected on lampposts, with Farage declaring: “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.
A Reform UK spokesman acknowledged the disconnect, stating that Perks’ statement was not posted “under the instruction of the [council leader]” and reiterating that Worcestershire council leader Jo Monk had said they are “unequivocally proud of the St George’s Cross and all it represents.”
Stephen Atkinson, Leader of Lancashire County Council and chairman of the Reform UK Local Government Association group, had signed the statement saying: “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.”
Police Launch Investigation
West Mercia Police have now launched a criminal damage investigation into the roundabout paintings, with Inspector Richard Field stating: “Painting roundabouts is not only dangerous to drivers and pedestrians, but it also amounts to criminal damage. We are working closely with partners, including Worcestershire County Council, to tackle this issue and investigate where appropriate.”
Video footage circulating on social media shows a man painting a red cross onto a mini roundabout in Bromsgrove, with a police car briefly stopping before driving away.
Worcestershire County Council confirmed that “all road markings on the county’s highway network are strictly regulated for safety” and that unofficial changes “could be distracting or cause confusion to some road users so will therefore be removed.”
Tower Hamlets and Birmingham Councils Spark ‘Two-Tier’ Row
The flagtivist movement has gained momentum following controversial decisions by Labour-run councils to remove English and British flags whilst being accused of tolerating other displays. Tower Hamlets council in East London vowed to remove St George’s flags “as soon as possible,” sparking accusations of “two-tier bias” after Palestinian flags had flown across the borough for months.
Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick said: “Tower Hamlets council have allowed Palestinian flags to be publicly displayed on lampposts but not the flag of our country. This absurd national self-loathing must end.”
The Palestinian flags were only removed in March 2024 after UK Lawyers for Israel threatened legal action, arguing the displays constituted criminal offences. Mayor Lutfur Rahman had defended them as “symbols of solidarity” before eventually ordering their removal following complaints from Jewish residents who found them “oppressive and intimidating.
Birmingham City Council similarly sparked fury by removing Union Jacks and St George’s flags from lampposts, citing safety concerns about “unauthorised items” potentially “putting lives of motorists and pedestrians at risk,” despite the flags being positioned up to 25 feet off the ground.
Grassroots Movement Gains Support
The patriotic flag campaign has been driven by groups including Flag Force UK and the self-styled “Weoley Warriors” in Birmingham. Joseph Moulton, an organiser with Flag Force UK, told GB News the movement aimed to restore “civic pride” and make a “positive impact” on communities.
“For us, raising the flag and tidying the local area is about mobilising the community, rekindling social responsibility, and restoring pride in where we live,” Moulton said, noting that people had become “more atomised and insular” since Covid.
An online fundraiser for the Weoley Castle flags has raised more than £11,000, with organisers describing themselves as “a group of proud Englishmen with a common goal to show Birmingham and the rest of the country how proud we are of our history, freedoms and achievements.”
Flag Force UK has pledged to replace any flags taken down by councils, with thousands of pounds raised to support the campaign across multiple cities including Swindon, Bradford, Newcastle, and Norwich.
Mixed Public Reaction
The roundabout paintings have prompted mixed reactions from residents. Landscape gardener Tom Conway, who claims to have put up around 400 flags in Worcester, said: “The morale in the community seemed low and, ever since we did it, people have driven past and shown nothing but love and happiness.”
However, some residents have criticised the vandalism. One social media user wrote: “That is just road vandalism and tampering with the highway code. Complete idiots. Try doing something useful for the community and country instead if you actually cared.”
Labour Worcester City councillor Ed Kimberley said he had been contacted by residents who disagreed with the flags, whilst others praised the displays and called for them to be replicated nationwide.
Legal Framework
Under current regulations, UK residents are permitted to fly national flags from their properties without planning permission, provided they meet safety requirements and have the landowner’s consent. The 2012 changes to planning regulations specifically encourage the flying of the Union flag and other national symbols.
However, painting public infrastructure or attaching items to street furniture without permission constitutes criminal damage and potentially breaches the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, as councils have argued in their enforcement actions.
Reform’s Position Clarified
Despite Councillor Perks’ stance on the roundabout paintings, he reiterated support for legitimate flag displays, stating: “Every Englishman who flies St George’s flag does so with pride. There are many ways that people can show their pride by flying the St George’s flag – in your own front and back gardens, on your cars, in your windows and on community buildings where agreed by the whole community.”
He warned, however, that climbing lampposts to attach flags “may not be the best thing to do, mostly because it’s dangerous and could cause damage.”
The internal Reform UK dispute highlights tensions between supporting patriotic expression and maintaining law and order, with the party attempting to balance its nationalist messaging with the practical responsibilities of governing at the local level.
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