Warwickshire County Council's (WCC) leader has called for Union flags and St George's flags to be temporarily removed this Christmas to make way for festive decorations.

WCC's Reform leader, Cllr George Finch stressed that the move was a "pragmatic" step to ensure local communities could still display their planned Christmas lights and decorations.

Cllr Finch shared: "While I believe the flag of our nations to be the envy of all flags across the world, I could not allow local communities to go without Christmas decorations this year, especially when local groups have already made plans for their local decorations."

He further noted many community groups and local volunteers have already organised their seasonal displays.

However, Cllr Finch emphasised that no removed flags should be destroyed.

Instead, the council will work with community partners to return the flags to local councillors, who will then arrange for residents to collect them in the New Year.

"This will mean, hopefully, for those people whose flags have been taken down, they can collect them from their local councillor in the New Year," he said.

Cllr Finch added that both he and the council cabinet encourage residents to put the flags back up after the festive season.

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He said: "In the meantime, I ask that you support local towns whose businesses rely on Christmas shopping footfall in their decision to replace the flags with decoration."

He also argued that it would be "impractical" to leave flags in place indefinitely, noting that long-term exposure could lead to deterioration.

"I don't think any of us would want our nation's flags to be left to rot and deteriorate. That's why we need to see the Christmas season through each year and then replace them with new, refreshed flags in the New Year," added Cllr Finch.

He concluded by calling his approach "a practical and common-sense solution" intended to balance community celebrations with respect for national symbols.

Reform UK's statement on the removal of resident-installed flags this Christmas (image via X/Twitter/ Reform UK)