Flags have been taken down from a seafront in a UK seaside town for a third time after they were reportedly put up without permission. The local council has cited safety concerns and a lack of authorisation for removing the St George's Cross and Union Jack flags from lamp posts.
The flags were installed in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, by social media groups Flagman UK and Bristol Flagger. However, North Somerset Council has repeatedly removed them, and Caroline Reynolds, Weston-super-Mare Town Council Deputy Mayor (Liberal Democrat), recently confronted members of the groups while they were erecting them in the town.
Deputy mayor's concerns
Reynolds posted a video on social media, claiming the flags "send a bad message to the local people and the visitors of this town." She added: "It sounds like we're not welcoming when we really are welcoming in Weston-super-Mare, so we really don't want to see them. You've put them up twice, the council has taken them down twice and they'll be taken down again."
Flags have been popping up in Weston-super-Mare since July. While those responsible claim they are motivated by patriotism, others fear they are provocative at a time when tensions are high over immigration.
Council's safety rationale
Councillor Hugh Malyan, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "We understand how important national symbols are to many people and North Somerset Council is proud to fly the Union Flag from locations including the Town Hall in Weston-super-Mare. However, this pride should be shown in ways that are respectful and safe.
"Where flags and other notices are attached to roads and roadsides without permission, they pose a risk to the public where they can fall and obstruct the view of drivers. Therefore, unauthorised flags will be removed."
Local reactions
Locals have reacted to the latest flag removals on Facebook. A post on the Spotted Weston-super-Mare Facebook group earlier on Friday (August 28) has attracted around 230 comments.
Some people agree the flags should be removed while others don't believe they are causing any harm. Emma Vaughan, who made the original post, said they are "not causing a divide at all". A second resident, called FearlessSunflower6850 on Facebook, added: "Council- you cause the divide." Meanwhile, another said the flags "looked so beautiful" and "made me smile".
Judy Adams added: "Fix the pot holes and roads instead of keeping taking flags down, wasting taxpayers money." Becky Marshall agreed: "Apparently a row of flags along the seafront is now divisive. Honestly it’s miserable. With all the things in Weston that genuinely need attention and this is what ends up being dealt with. The flags brightened the seafront up and the drama surrounding them is far more divisive than the flags themselves."
Another person put: "My personal view — there is absolutely nothing racist about being proud to fly the flag of your own country." However, one resident disagrees with the flags and said: "Hope they finally stay down this time. They are being held up with cable ties and very uneven so look awful anyway... Even if you don't want to acknowledge the xenophobia that they are promoting. It's so sad to see that the flag is being used alongside a message of hate and even sadder that people are so in support of a movement fuelled by hatred."
