The largest political group on Birmingham City Council has criticised plans to seek a High Court injunction aimed at preventing nationalist campaigners from displaying flags on lampposts and bridges across the city.
Birmingham Reform UK, the official opposition, has strongly opposed the council’s court application, arguing that there are “better things to do” than pursue legal action against the controversial Raise the Colours group and its supporters.
Similarly, the city’s Conservative group has condemned the move, describing the Union and St George’s flags as a “unifying force” that celebrates shared culture and heritage.
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The council’s leadership coalition, comprising the Green Party, Liberal Democrats, and Better Birmingham Independents, has supported the court application and gathered evidence to back the claim.
Councillor Jane Baston, Green Party member for Bournbrook and Selly Park and cabinet member for equalities, communities and social justice, said: “The council is taking a lawful, proportionate and evidence-led approach to unauthorised attachments on the highway. This includes pursuing injunctive action based on the evidence gathered to date.”
She added: “Our priority is to protect public safety, staff and contractor welfare, community cohesion, and the responsible use of public funds. We ask residents and community groups to support this approach and ensure any displays are placed only where permission exists.”
The council highlighted that installing and reinstalling flags impacts the public, citing incidents involving harassment, intimidation, or obstruction encountered during removal operations.
The action has received mixed reactions. Some anti-racism groups and community leaders support the decision, calling it “overdue.” Brummies United Against Racism and Hate Crime pointed to criminal allegations against some prominent members of the flagging movement as evidence of intimidation and division, claims denied by Raise the Colours.
Birmingham’s Labour group, which governed until May this year, welcomed the injunction, noting it had been proposed for several months. Group leader Councillor Nicky Brennan of Bournville and Cotteridge said: “We cannot allow a small group of people to attempt to divide the communities of Birmingham.”
Conversely, Reform UK and Conservative leaders have voiced opposition to the court bid.
Reform UK Birmingham group leader Councillor Jex Parkin of Kingstanding said his group “condemns violence, threats and intimidation from anybody,” but insisted that “if somebody commits an offence, deal with that individual. But don’t demonise patriotic residents who simply want to display our national flag.”
He criticised the prospect of people peacefully displaying the Union Flag or St George’s Cross facing court proceedings with potentially serious consequences, including imprisonment. Parkin also expressed concern that the injunction targets not only seven named individuals but also “Persons Unknown,” which could criminalise broader flag displays.
“The Union Flag and St George’s Cross belong to everybody in this country. They should unite us, not divide us,” he added.
Conservative group leader Councillor Robert Alden of Erdington echoed these sentiments on social media: “Our St George’s and Union flags are a unifying force celebrating our shared culture and heritage. It’s disappointing to see Birmingham City Council taking this action. They should be enabling communities that want them to have formal displays in their neighbourhoods.”
The council’s application seeks a legally binding injunction to prevent any unauthorised attachments-including flags, banners, and signage-on public highways. The injunction does not restrict displays on private property or flag flying on public buildings with permission.
In a statement, Reform UK contrasted the council’s acceptance of official flag raisings with its pursuit of the injunction. “Only weeks ago, the Somali flag was officially raised outside Birmingham Council House with civic representatives present. Earlier this month, the Pakistan flag was raised at a ceremony hosted by the Lord Mayor.”
“There is something badly wrong if Birmingham City Council can proudly accommodate national flags from around the world while people are made to feel that displaying the Union Flag or St George’s Cross is somehow provocative,” Reform UK said.
Opposition councillor Alan Feeney, Shadow Cabinet Member for City Services & Digital, criticised the council’s priorities: “This simply is not a priority for residents. Birmingham is facing an ongoing bin strike, roads filled with potholes, and incursions by travellers into city parks costing taxpayers hundreds of thousands of pounds. The council’s focus should be on dealing with these issues, not removing flags that were placed as a symbol of national pride.”
Councillor Parkin concluded: “The Union Flag and St George’s Cross belong to everybody. They are the flags of our country. If we reach a point where flying them is itself described as divisive, we’ve got a much deeper problem.”
The council has now submitted evidence to the High Court as part of the ongoing proceedings.