Councillor Warns Flag Displays in Bedlington Are Causing Division Amid National Campaign

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Councillor Christine Taylor has raised concerns that the widespread display of Union and St George’s flags across Bedlington is causing community division, despite her personal pride in the flag as a veteran.

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00:00Speaking at a full Council meeting, Councillor Christine Taylor, a veteran and representative

00:05for Bedlington said she is proud to fly the Union flag, particularly in recognition of

00:10military service. However, she expressed concern that the appearance of flags on every single

00:16lamppost in her town is sparking tension.

00:20Within Bedlington we have a flagpole and we are very proud to fly the Union flag, she

00:24told Council Leader Glenn Sanderson, but not everybody needs to see a flag on every lamppost.

00:30I get the sentiment, but I would like to see the flag flown proudly from the town's flagpole,

00:35not all over the place.

00:37Councillor Taylor's comments come amid a growing national trend known as raise the flag. While

00:43some view the campaign as a patriotic display, others have raised concerns over links to

00:47far-right groups and the potential for it to intimidate or exclude members of more diverse

00:53communities. Responding to Councillor Taylor's concerns, Council Leader Glenn Sanderson said

00:58the County Council continues to fly the Union flag with pride. However, he acknowledged that

01:03there are limits. Where displays cause an issue, we will take them down, especially if they

01:08pose an obstruction, he said. We owe a huge debt to those who put their lives on the line

01:13for freedom, and that includes freedom of speech. But if flags are being used in a way that causes

01:18division, that becomes a matter for the police. Councillor Sanderson added that local communities

01:24should decide how and where flags are flown, suggesting that the council may ask towns and

01:29parish authorities whether they would like official flagpoles installed in each area. That

01:34way it becomes a decision made together as one community, he said. Let's work together,

01:40and respect each other's views.

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