A Hampshire town council has ignited a fierce row with residents after installing a controversially altered Union Jack flag outside its town hall, with one critic mockingly suggesting it looked like a bargain buy from online marketplace Temu.
A Flag Cut to Fit
The flag, which has been trimmed to fit an angled flagpole, has been branded 'disrespectful' and 'pathetic' by locals in Whitchurch. They argue the modified standard fails to meet proper traditions for displaying the national emblem. The issue has been compounded by the total cost, which exceeded £3,700 for the flag and a new flagpole.
The previous, full-sized Union Jack was replaced after council officials decided to hang a cut-down version. The alteration means almost half of the flag's traditional design is missing, flown from a pole set at an angle.
Residents Voice Their Anger
Despite a significant public backlash, the town hall trustees have decided to keep the flag in place. Anger has poured out on social media, with resident Chris Smith stating, 'In my opinion cutting the flag is disrespectful.'
Deborah Sanger highlighted the importance of flag protocol, saying, 'The Union Flag is supposed to be lowered each day at sundown or alternatively illuminated... you can begin to see that there are particular ways and traditions. I don't think this cut-down version meets the requirements.'
Another commenter, Brian Jackman, called it 'a shame', while Katie Jane Buckley criticised the 'extravagant and unnecessary purchase' at a time of rising taxes and reliance on food banks. The most pointed critique came from John Rampton, who asked if the flag was purchased from the budget site Temu.
Council Defends Its Decision
In response, Whitchurch Town Council issued a statement confirming its trustees 'unanimously agreed' to retain the current flag. They cited feedback from their Facebook page, one email, verbal comments, and the fact that no one attended a council meeting to raise concerns in person.
The council also pointed to guidance from the UK Flag Institute, which confirmed the display was acceptable for a government building. Trustees stated they were 'mindful of avoiding unnecessary expense' and considered the 'climate emergency' in relation to waste, as the flag is still new. The situation will be reviewed when replacement is eventually needed.
However, local Alex Mitchell countered the council's point about meeting attendance, calling it 'moot' given that very few people typically attend such sessions.
The breakdown of costs shows the council paid £275.80 for the flag itself and invested a further £3,503.55 for the removal and replacement of the flagpole. Last July, the council considered removing the pole altogether but was advised by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council that it was a positive feature of the listed building's character.
