Lee Anderson blasted the council's absurd decision (Image: Getty / Birmingham Live)
Birmingham Council has been slammed by Reform UK’s Lee Anderson after it announced moves to take down England flags and Union Jacks that have sprung up across the area in recent weeks. A guerrilla campaign has seen dozens of the patriotic flags strung up on lamp posts around the Weoley Castle and Northfield parts of the city.
Many residents and online onlookers have expressed support for the move, even asking for their street to be next in line for the colourful makeover. However, the council has now said it is moving quickly to remove the red, white and blue decor in the name of public safety. In a bizarre statement, a spokesman boasted that they have already removed “around 200 advertising banners and flags that had been attached to lampposts since the start of this year” and will continue to do so.
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Read more: Locals hanging Union Jacks across UK city say 'we're patriotic, not racist'
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The flags have sprung up right across Birmingham (Image: Birmingham Live)
They warned: “People who attach unauthorised items to lampposts could be putting their lives and those of motorists and pedestrians at risk.
“Placing unauthorised attachments on street furniture, particularly tall structures like lampposts, can be dangerous."
It came amid a claim that this was being done in conjunction with upgrades to LED lighting in the area.
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However, Reform UK’s Lee Anderson is among those leading the backlash to the move, telling the Express: “The biggest risk to safety in Birmingham is the imbeciles running the council.”
In a WhatsApp group message reported by the Birmingham Dispatch, Labour Party councillor Jamie Tennant claimed the flags had been erected by “a couple of people spoiling for a fight for political reasons”.
He added the council is “taking it slow and steady so not giving them what they want.”
Lee Anderson branded the council 'imbeciles' (Image: Getty)
The council is under further fire after it announced the move to take down the British flags, just one day after lighting up the city’s library in the colours of Pakistan’s flag to celebrate the country’s 77th independence day.
Commentator Henry Bolton fumed: “Birmingham City Council lights up their offices to celebrate Pakistan Independence Day but wants to remove St George flags and Union Jacks.”
“It seems the British majority in Britain must suppress their expression of nationhood while minority communities can express ethno-nationalism all they like.
“This is leading to a dark place. It has to end.”
Conservative X user Joe quipped: “Peak Birmingham Council is lighting up the library in the colours of the Pakistani flag hours before threatening to remove some English and Union flags because they could 'put lives at risk'.
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“They've actually managed to surpass my expectations of them and that's an achievement.”
Local residents have flooded X with words of support for the display, with Nick Procter saying the flag-lined streets are “absolutely glorious to see. We should be proud of the country that we call home, it is a privilege and an honour to live here.”
Dr Helen Ingram agreed: “I live in Northfield, Birmingham. We are a small mostly working-class community and these flags have reinvigorated our collective pride and community spirit. I doubt we will win this but we will fight our hardest to show that we are British and proud!”
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