Council refuses motion to fly Ukrainian flag for one day

By Nadia Lincoln, Local Democracy Reporter

North Northamptonshire Council (NNC) has rallied against calls for an exception to its flag policy to allow Ukraine’s flag to be flown from its buildings for one day next month.

In June 2025, the Reform UK-run administration made a decision to only fly the country’s national flags, as well as Armed Forces Day and VJ Day flags, in one of its first acts after taking control of the council.

The Conservative opposition put forward a motion at full council on Thursday (July 16), asking for Ukraine’s flag to be raised on council buildings to mark the country’s independence day on August 24 and show “solidarity and continued commitment” to its people.

Cllr Helen Harrison, group leader of the North Northants Conservatives, said: “The war has now been raging for four years, four months and three weeks – longer even than the First World War.

“Their blood and their sacrifice is keeping us safe right across Europe, the UK and here in North Northamptonshire. I believe we should take this moment to honour their sacrifice in the same way that we have honoured our own armed forces and those who fought to end the Second World War in Japan.”

She told the administration that it was not intended to be a “hostile motion” or an attack on their policy, but that she hoped it would be a chance for parties to come together and show their support.

Green party leader Cllr Emily Fedorowycz also backed the motion, speaking about her own Ukrainian heritage.

She said: “For many of us here, life has returned to normal, the war is no longer on the front pages every day, but for the people of Ukraine the war has never stopped.

“I have one cousin who lives in Lviv, she told me about bombs being dropped close enough to her home that she can feel the vibrations through the walls. She has lost friends to missile attacks. She tries to carry on with her normal job. This is the reality of what people are facing right now.

“Flying the Ukrainian flag will not end the war, but it will send a simple and powerful message that we have not forgotten the people of Ukraine and that we stand in solidarity with them.”

Reform UK’s cabinet member for regulatory services, Cllr Kirk Harrison, said he could not support the motion.

“A little over a year ago, this council adopted a flag policy,” he said, “It was clear, it’s unambiguous and it deliberately didn’t include provisions for making exceptions.

“We should not depart from policy for political requests. If every time a worthy cause comes along, and it is a worthy cause, we no longer have a policy.”

However, Labour councillor William Colquhoun questioned why the administration had to have a flag policy in the first place.

“There’s just no logic to it to me. Show a bit of flexibility and a bit of acceptance of other people within your flag policy,” he said.

“We can be showing the Ukrainian people in our authority that we stand with them, that we are their friends.”

Cllr Chris Munday (Reform UK) also shared his reasons for opposing the motion, stating that the administration stands with the people of Ukraine and against its illegal invasion.

He continued: “The question before us tonight is not whether we support Ukraine, because we do, the question is whether the council should make an exception to its current flag policy.

“The council has a flag policy for a reason; it gives us a clear and consistent approach. Once we make an exception, it becomes harder to refuse future requests.

“I cannot support making a one-day exception.”

A recorded vote on the motion was called. It was ultimately refused, receiving 32 votes against, 21 for and four abstentions.