By Sally Churchward.
A Southampton Reform councillor is bringing a motion before the city council on Wednesday (15/7/26) that would ban the flying of a huge range of flags from the Civic Centre.
If the motion, being brought by Councillor Philip Crook, were passed, the only flags that would be permitted to be flown from the building would be the Union Flag, the Flag of St George and the Southampton City Flag.
On local election night in May, Cllr Crook told the local democracy reporting service: “We’ve always driven the line we want to get back to basics, let’s get the basics repaired.
“The roads, the housing, the litter, those crimes that are a nuisance, motorbikes in Coxford is one issue.
“Let’s focus on those, let’s get that right, rather than be worried about big events or other sides.”
However, he has chosen to bring an arguably joyless motion, greatly restricting the wide variety of flags currently flown from the Civic Centre to mark various occasions. The raising of several of the flags is accompanied with a ceremony or other events which include members of the local community, such as Armed Forces Day and Windrush Day, both of which took place last month.
The move has been criticised by individuals and groups Southampton Pride and Trans Pride Southampton and there is set to be a protest outside the meeting at Southampton Civic Centre on Wednesday.
The Pride flag is amongst those Southampton City Council currently flies on an annual basis – on May 17th or the nearest working day, to mark International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia.
There are a number of other flags which at present the council flies for specific occasions, which would also come under the ban if the motion was passed.
These include: the Armed Forces Flag, The Commonwealth flag, Hampshire Day flag, Merchant Navy flag, International Women’s Day flag, Hate Crime Awareness Week flag, White Ribbon Day flag, Vaisakhi flag, Windrush Day flag and Black History Month flag.
Other flags that have been flown at the Civic Centre include the Ukrainian flag, the Supermarine flag to mark the 80th anniversary of the raid on the Supermarine Factory during the Battle of Britain and the flag of Mauritius.
The motion states: “Flying our national flag is a symbol of identity and unity and one in which all citizens should take pride…Too many flags are currently flown, particularly at the Civic Centre, the focal point of our local democracy.”
The motion also calls for the Union flag to be flown or displayed at every council owned property/building and council run schools.
In a statement, Southampton Pride, who organise the city’s popular Pride festival, said that they were ‘deeply concerned’ by the proposed motion.
They noted that “For many people, a Pride flag is not simply a piece of fabric. It is a visible sign that says: “you are welcome here. You belong here. You will be treated with dignity and respect.’”
They also said: “Government buildings should represent every resident of our city. Flying the Pride flag for a limited period each year does not diminish our national identity or our city identity. It complements them by demonstrating that Southampton is a city where diversity is respected and everyone is welcome.”
Trans Pride Southampton said: “We counter-argue that Southampton City Council should, in fact, fly MORE Pride flags than it does at present – specifically for the transgender community on Trans Day Of Visibility, Trans Day Of Remembrance and International Day Against Homophobia Biphobia and Transphobia.
“This is a very hard time for especially trans people right now, and we call on Southampton City Council to show solidarity with our community.”
Southampton Stand Up to Racism said: “This motion is not really about flags. It is about identity, belonging and the kind of city Southampton chooses to be. It forms part of a wider political strategy that turns diversity, equality and inclusion into manufactured “culture war” battlegrounds, distracting attention from the real issues facing local people.
“For many years, Southampton City Council has flown flags to mark Black History Month, Windrush Day, Pride, Trans Pride, International Women’s Day, Holocaust Memorial Day, Armed Forces Day and other significant occasions. The Civic Centre also flew the Ukrainian flag for more than two years in solidarity with people fleeing war and with the local families who welcomed them. These are civic acts of recognition that acknowledge the contribution different communities have made to Southampton.
“Rather than addressing the issues residents are genuinely concerned about—housing, the cost of living, NHS waiting lists and struggling public services—Reform UK has chosen symbolic battles that divide communities. It is easier to argue about flags than to solve the problems affecting people’s daily lives.”
Members and allies of Southampton’s LGBTQIA+ community and others who are opposed to the motion are encourage to join a protest against it outside the Civic Centre ahead of the meeting, which begins at 1.30pm on Wednesday, July 15th.
Updated 7.50pm 12/7/26 to include statement from Southampton Stand Up to Racism.
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