Council staff wear Pride badges after flags 'snub'

4 hours ago

Ben RobinsonLocal Democracy reporter

News image — Rainbows have been added to computer screens and lapels, as seen here in a stock image

Getty Images A round badge of rainbow colours in horizontal stripes, pinned to the lapel of a black suit jacket — Rainbows have been added to computer screens and lapels, as seen here in a stock image

Council staff have begun wearing Pride badges and displaying rainbows on computer screens following the administration's decision to stop flying the LGBTQ+ and Ukraine flags at its headquarters.

Reform UK, which took over at Norfolk County Council last month, has faced criticism for the policy but said it was "entirely appropriate" for only British national and local flags to be flown above the County Hall building in Norwich.

Kris Holt, of Unison, said there was "a strong sense of disappointment" from employees and the flags policy felt like a "calculated snub" to staff.

Reform councillor Scott Hussey insisted feedback from officials had been "largely positive" and claimed staff "welcomed the new energy and professionalism" of the new administration.

"The decisions we make are designed to do what residents elected us to do: deliver change and achieve results," he added.

"Rather than engaging in virtue signalling or political grandstanding – none of which improves the lives of residents – we're focused on common sense, pragmatism and getting the job done."

Robin Hunter Clarke Scott Hussey is wearing a dark blue coat over a white shirt, blue tie with white spots. He has brown hair and is smiling while looking off camera — Scott Hussey said the LGBTQ+ flag was seen as "divisive" by some

On the subject of banning the LGBTQ+ flag, he said: "While the Pride flag is often presented as a symbol of inclusivity and diversity, many people view it as a political advocacy flag.

"As such, it's seen by some as divisive rather than unifying and the flag does not necessarily represent all the groups it claims to encompass."

Norfolk County Council A rainbow flag flying from a flagpole. To the right of the image is a multi-storey rectangular building with multiple windows. — The flag was previously flown from County Hall to coincide with Norwich Pride in July

The party only permits the Norfolk County Council flag, which is currently being flown on top of the building in Martineau Lane, along with the Union flag, the St George flag and the Norfolk flag.

Royal flags and those of the Merchant Navy, the Armed Forces and the emergency services can still be flown on certain days.

The strength of feeling regarding the ban on the Progress Pride flag had been visible at County Hall, with staff wearing Progress Pride badges and putting rainbow backgrounds on their screens when in online meetings, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

"The change to the local authority's policy on flags - which has led to the removal of the Progress Pride flag - feels like a calculated snub to both staff and Norfolk residents in the LGBTQ+ community," said Holt.

He added: "We would encourage the new members at [County Hall] to focus on learning their briefs and to really engage with the vitally important role of being a county councillor."