Farage Blasts Essex Council Over St George’s Flag Controversy, Calls Message ‘Unbelievable

Published: 29 August 2025.The English Chronicle Desk

Nigel Farage, Reform UK leader and Clacton MP, has publicly criticised Essex County Council after a leaked internal email suggested that staff might need “support” if they were upset by the sight of St George’s Crosses and Union Jacks displayed around the county. Speaking on GB News during his What the Farage segment, he described the message as an “unbelievable” overreaction and accused the council of being out of touch with the public.

The controversy began when the council’s Children and Families Senior Leadership Team sent an internal email acknowledging the growing presence of national flags on bridges, trees, and road signs in Essex. The message noted that for some employees, particularly those “of colour,” the flags could trigger “feelings of discomfort” or be associated with “anti-immigration rhetoric.” While the email encouraged staff to seek reassurance and support if necessary, the council later clarified that the message had not been approved by senior leadership and did not reflect official policy.

Farage responded sharply, urging council officials to stop catering to what he called “manufactured sensitivities” and instead focus on serving ordinary residents and delivering essential services. He pointed out that the campaign to display flags, often organised by the online initiative Operation Raise the Colours, had been embraced by local communities, with residents attaching banners to lampposts, bridges, and other public spaces. Farage argued that the council should be proud of this patriotic grassroots enthusiasm rather than undermining it.

He further highlighted polling data from More In Common showing 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. Farage suggested that the council’s actions were misaligned with public sentiment and exemplified a broader disconnect between local authorities and the communities they serve.

“I’ve got to tell you, as an Essex MP, there are an awful lot of St George’s Crosses around, and yes, some may be in places they perhaps shouldn’t be,” Farage said. “But I found this whole thing rather uplifting. Ordinary people across Essex are celebrating their identity, and the council thinks staff need counselling. You couldn’t make it up.”

An Essex County Council spokesperson emphasised their support for the right to fly St George’s Cross flags with pride, including at County Hall. The council reiterated that the email had not been approved and did not reflect the authority’s official stance, and that concerns had been addressed with staff.

Farage concluded by urging council officials to prioritise the delivery of basic services for taxpayers over unnecessary sensitivity concerns, arguing that the focus should remain on practical governance rather than symbolic disputes.