Farage mocks Essex CC for supporting staff 'unsettled' by flags
More Videos
0 seconds of 1 minute, 17 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
Keyboard ShortcutsEnabledDisabled
Shortcuts Open/Close/ or ?
Play/PauseSPACE
Increase Volume↑
Decrease Volume↓
Seek Forward→
Seek Backward←
Captions On/Offc
Fullscreen/Exit Fullscreenf
Mute/Unmutem
Decrease Caption Size-
Increase Caption Size+ or =
Seek %0-9
Next Up
David Cameron says he does not regret referendum
00:46
x facebook Email
Linkhttps://cdn.jwplayer.com/previews/BXJ091kV
Copied
Auto270p1080p720p540p360p270p180p
Live
00:08
01:08
01:17
More Videos
Close
Nigel Farage has urged council officials in Essex to stop pandering to the "manufactured sensitivities" of anyone claiming to be offended by Union Jacks and St George's Crosses being placed on lampposts or elsewhere across the county. And the Clacton MP and Reform UK leader offered a scathing critique during his appearance on GB News on Thursday, saying: "You couldn't make it up".
Mr Farage was reacting after a leaked email from a team within the Essex County Council, which suggested staff might need “support” if upset by the sight of the patriotic symbols. The council, however, has since said the email sent had not been "approved" by the local authority. The council’s Children and Families Senior Leadership Team wrote to employees saying it was “aware of the increasing visibility” of national flags on bridges, trees and road signs in parts of Essex. The message claimed that for some, particularly staff “of colour,” the flags could evoke “feelings of discomfort” and be associated with “anti-immigration rhetoric.”
Article continues belowADVERTISEMENT
Learn More
Undo
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Nigel Farage slams local council as it offers help to staff triggered by England flags
Keir Starmer will be biting his nails in fear of latest poll humiliation from Reform UK
Keir Starmer hammer blow as Labour's popularity plunges to lowest level in 6yrs
GB News interrupted for urgent breaking news as Nigel Farage issues statement
Huge boost for Nigel Farage as ANOTHER Conservative defects to Reform
Nigel Farage shares bizarre clip of him 'dancing' in fur coat and bling
Nigel Farage erupts at Epping hotel decision: 'Illegal migrants have more rights!'
Lee Anderson's 7-word verdict as poll shows what Brits think of migrant hotel protests
Keir Starmer skewered on GB News with one brutal line - it's good news for Farage
POLL: Is St George's flag intimidating and racist? Have your say
Reform councillor, 22, sacked from top council role months into job
Nigel Farage warned over Reform UK 'curse' after thumping by-election wins
Lee Anderson's booming six-word verdict as Reform soars to record lead in polls
Nigel Farage's migrant hotel row with Robert Jenrick explodes - 'seriously?'
British citizens to be 'prioritised over foreigners' under Nigel Farage's plan
Furious Nigel Farage erupts at new asylum record under Labour: 'Disaster!'
Reform hails bombshell new poll as Nigel Farage on course for landslide victory
POLL: Who do you trust most on immigration?
Former Tory on Nigel Farage in Wales - 'It was just miraculous'
Reform-led council slams people painting England flags on zebra crossing
Nigel Farage slams local council as it offers help to staff triggered by England flags
Keir Starmer will be biting his nails in fear of latest poll humiliation from Reform UK
Keir Starmer hammer blow as Labour's popularity plunges to lowest level in 6yrs
GB News interrupted for urgent breaking news as Nigel Farage issues statement
Huge boost for Nigel Farage as ANOTHER Conservative defects to Reform
Nigel Farage shares bizarre clip of him 'dancing' in fur coat and bling
Nigel Farage erupts at Epping hotel decision: 'Illegal migrants have more rights!'
Lee Anderson's 7-word verdict as poll shows what Brits think of migrant hotel protests
Keir Starmer skewered on GB News with one brutal line - it's good news for Farage
POLL: Is St George's flag intimidating and racist? Have your say
Reform councillor, 22, sacked from top council role months into job
Nigel Farage warned over Reform UK 'curse' after thumping by-election wins
Lee Anderson's booming six-word verdict as Reform soars to record lead in polls
Nigel Farage's migrant hotel row with Robert Jenrick explodes - 'seriously?'
British citizens to be 'prioritised over foreigners' under Nigel Farage's plan
Furious Nigel Farage erupts at new asylum record under Labour: 'Disaster!'
Reform hails bombshell new poll as Nigel Farage on course for landslide victory
POLL: Who do you trust most on immigration?
Former Tory on Nigel Farage in Wales - 'It was just miraculous'
Reform-led council slams people painting England flags on zebra crossing
Nigel Farage slams local council as it offers help to staff triggered by England flags
Keir Starmer will be biting his nails in fear of latest poll humiliation from Reform UK
Keir Starmer hammer blow as Labour's popularity plunges to lowest level in 6yrs
GB News interrupted for urgent breaking news as Nigel Farage issues statement
Huge boost for Nigel Farage as ANOTHER Conservative defects to Reform
Nigel Farage shares bizarre clip of him 'dancing' in fur coat and bling
Nigel Farage erupts at Epping hotel decision: 'Illegal migrants have more rights!'
Lee Anderson's 7-word verdict as poll shows what Brits think of migrant hotel protests
Keir Starmer skewered on GB News with one brutal line - it's good news for Farage
POLL: Is St George's flag intimidating and racist? Have your say
Reform councillor, 22, sacked from top council role months into job
Nigel Farage warned over Reform UK 'curse' after thumping by-election wins
Lee Anderson's booming six-word verdict as Reform soars to record lead in polls
Nigel Farage's migrant hotel row with Robert Jenrick explodes - 'seriously?'
British citizens to be 'prioritised over foreigners' under Nigel Farage's plan
Furious Nigel Farage erupts at new asylum record under Labour: 'Disaster!'
Reform hails bombshell new poll as Nigel Farage on course for landslide victory
POLL: Who do you trust most on immigration?
Former Tory on Nigel Farage in Wales - 'It was just miraculous'
Reform-led council slams people painting England flags on zebra crossing
Read more: Carole Malone rips apart 'scared' Keir Starmer in furious GB News row
Read more: Reform hails bombshell new poll as Nigel Farage on course for landslide win
Nigel Farage and a St George's Cross painted on a mini-roundabout in Colchester (Image: GB News/PA)
Mr Farage seized on the revelation during his What the Farage segment on the network, mocking the message for what he described as an “unbelievable” overreaction.
He told viewers: “I’ve got to tell you, as an Essex MP, and yes, I was in Clacton at the weekend and there are an awful lot of St George’s crosses. And yes, there are some in places they ought not to be. But I found this whole thing rather uplifting.”
He accused the authority of losing touch with ordinary residents, sneering that its leadership would rather fret about bunting than tackle real issues.
Sponsored
10 Things Men Really Want From You (But Won’t Ask)
Undo
A view of British flags hung on poles as part of the Operation Raise the Colours (Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
The email in question went further than many expected, declaring that the council “stands firmly against all forms of racism and discrimination” and was “committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for everyone.”
To that end, it offered employees the chance to seek reassurance and support if they felt uncomfortable with the flag-flying campaign.
Mr Farage responded by saying that instead of undermining a patriotic grassroots movement, the council should be proud of it.
He pointed to the growing popularity of flag-raising initiatives across Britain, fuelled by an online campaign called Operation Raise the Colours, which has seen residents attach banners to lampposts and bridges.
Recent polling suggests his instincts are not misplaced. A survey by More In Common found that 58 per cent of Britons support increased displays of national flags on public infrastructure, with particularly strong backing among Reform UK and Conservative voters.
Mr Farage went on to claim this showed the council was hopelessly out of step with the public mood.
He said: “Here we are, ordinary people across Essex celebrating who they are, and the council thinks staff need counselling. You couldn’t make it up.”
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Nigel Farage erupts at Epping hotel decision: 'Illegal migrants have more rights!'
Lee Anderson's 7-word verdict as poll shows what Brits think of migrant hotel protests
Keir Starmer skewered on GB News with one brutal line - it's good news for Farage
POLL: Is St George's flag intimidating and racist? Have your say
Reform councillor, 22, sacked from top council role months into job
Nigel Farage warned over Reform UK 'curse' after thumping by-election wins
Lee Anderson's booming six-word verdict as Reform soars to record lead in polls
Nigel Farage's migrant hotel row with Robert Jenrick explodes - 'seriously?'
British citizens to be 'prioritised over foreigners' under Nigel Farage's plan
Furious Nigel Farage erupts at new asylum record under Labour: 'Disaster!'
Reform hails bombshell new poll as Nigel Farage on course for landslide victory
POLL: Who do you trust most on immigration?
Former Tory on Nigel Farage in Wales - 'It was just miraculous'
Reform-led council slams people painting England flags on zebra crossing
An engineer reveals: 1 simple trick to get all TV channelsTechno Mag |
Learn More
Undo
Nigel Farage slams local council as it offers help to staff triggered by England flags
Keir Starmer will be biting his nails in fear of latest poll humiliation from Reform UK
No more thinning hair! This bestseller at Watsons works even in 40s-60sHair’s Rich |
Learn More
Undo
Keir Starmer hammer blow as Labour's popularity plunges to lowest level in 6yrs
GB News interrupted for urgent breaking news as Nigel Farage issues statement
Open an Account Now!Interactive Brokers |
Learn More
Undo
Huge boost for Nigel Farage as ANOTHER Conservative defects to Reform
Nigel Farage shares bizarre clip of him 'dancing' in fur coat and bling
Get started today!Interactive Brokers |
Learn More
Undo
Nigel Farage erupts at Epping hotel decision: 'Illegal migrants have more rights!'
Lee Anderson's 7-word verdict as poll shows what Brits think of migrant hotel protests
Knee Surgeon: Suffering From Pain After Age 50? Do This Every MorningWellnee |
Undo
Keir Starmer skewered on GB News with one brutal line - it's good news for Farage
POLL: Is St George's flag intimidating and racist? Have your say
It’s Not a Medical Device, but Users Say It Changed Their Daily RoutineWellnee |
Undo
Reform councillor, 22, sacked from top council role months into job
Nigel Farage warned over Reform UK 'curse' after thumping by-election wins
Unveiling Nature's Mysteries: Red Light ning in 15 Meteorological Conditionsshiguangliuying.net |
Undo
Lee Anderson's booming six-word verdict as Reform soars to record lead in polls
Nigel Farage's migrant hotel row with Robert Jenrick explodes - 'seriously?'
Tips for Finding Affordable Used SUVs at Singapore's Bank-Repossessed...SUV Deals | Search Ads |
Search Now
Undo
British citizens to be 'prioritised over foreigners' under Nigel Farage's plan
Furious Nigel Farage erupts at new asylum record under Labour: 'Disaster!'
10 Things Men Really Want From You (But Won’t Ask)Ffala |
Undo
Reform hails bombshell new poll as Nigel Farage on course for landslide victory
POLL: Who do you trust most on immigration?
Open an Account Now!Interactive Brokers |
Learn More
Undo
Former Tory on Nigel Farage in Wales - 'It was just miraculous'
Reform-led council slams people painting England flags on zebra crossing
Nigel Farage slams local council as it offers help to staff triggered by England flags
Keir Starmer will be biting his nails in fear of latest poll humiliation from Reform UK
Keir Starmer hammer blow as Labour's popularity plunges to lowest level in 6yrs
GB News interrupted for urgent breaking news as Nigel Farage issues statement
Huge boost for Nigel Farage as ANOTHER Conservative defects to Reform
Nigel Farage shares bizarre clip of him 'dancing' in fur coat and bling
Nigel Farage erupts at Epping hotel decision: 'Illegal migrants have more rights!'
Lee Anderson's 7-word verdict as poll shows what Brits think of migrant hotel protests
Keir Starmer skewered on GB News with one brutal line - it's good news for Farage
POLL: Is St George's flag intimidating and racist? Have your say
Reform councillor, 22, sacked from top council role months into job
Nigel Farage warned over Reform UK 'curse' after thumping by-election wins
Lee Anderson's booming six-word verdict as Reform soars to record lead in polls
Get started today!Interactive Brokers
Undo
Sponsored LinksSponsored Links
Knee Surgeon: Suffering From Pain After Age 5...Wellnee
Undo
Sponsored LinksSponsored Links
It’s Not a Medical Device, but Users Say It...Wellnee
Undo
Sponsored LinksSponsored Links
Tips for Finding Affordable Used SUVs at Singap...SUV Deals | Search Ads
Undo
Sponsored LinksSponsored Links
He concluded by urging officials to stop pandering to “manufactured sensitivities” and to get on with delivering basic services for taxpayers.
An Essex County Council spokesperson said: “We are supportive of people’s right to fly the St George’s Cross flag with pride, including outside our headquarters at County Hall, which we have made clear to staff.
“An email was sent on behalf of our Children and Families Leadership Team to their employees which was not approved and did not reflect this position, which has been addressed with staff concerned.”
Read Next
SUBSCRIBEInvalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy