Furious neighbours have slammed their council for “virtue signalling” over plans to fly trans and LGBT pride flags at their Grade I listed town hall.
Residents in the historic city of York have criticised councillors after they voted to fly colourful York Pride and trans awareness flags over Mansion House in the centre of St Helen’s Square.
Opponents say the mayor’s house, whose flagpole has stood there since 1868, is being used as a “political pawn.”
It has been used to fly national, international and community flags, including those of sports clubs and the national flag, for over 150 years. It is the main flagpole of York City Council.
Residents in the historic city have criticised councillors after they voted to fly colourful York Pride and trans awareness flags over the Grade I listed Mansion House in the centre of St Helen’s Square.
The Ukrainian national flag is currently flying over the Mansion House (pictured)
Tourists Gary Cooper, 70, and his wife Lesley, 69, who are enjoying their 48th wedding anniversary in York, agreed with the opposition
The rainbow flag is already allowed, under a rule that says banners “having six equal horizontal stripes” can be flown.
A planning meeting last week agreed to allow community and other flags, including those for York Pride, trans awareness and UNESCO City of Arts and Media status, to fly on the Grade I listed building.
The council ignored objections from members of the public, which included complaints that “vanity flags” would be flown as political options and that only the Union Flag, the York Flag, the Royal Standard, national flags and military flags should be displayed.
The summary of one objection said: ‘Approval will allow York City Council to legally exercise its right to partially fly the ‘virtue signalling’ flags, something it has hitherto been doing in breach of planning rules.
‘It is not up to individual officials or the ruling group to arbitrarily decide which flags can or cannot be flown.
‘I oppose the waving of any ‘variety’ of vanity flags, subject only to political decisions taken behind closed doors.’
Another said: ‘As an army veteran, I find this highly inappropriate in a Grade 1 listed 18th century civic building.
‘The flagpole must maintain decorum and seriousness, and flags should be flown only those that do not require consent.’
Gary and Lesley, from Grimsby, North Lincolnshire, said they saw no need to fly the new flags.
Lilli Duplock, 22, and Emily Porter, 25, of the Pink Cocktail Bar in St Helen’s Square, said it was “amazing” news.
Opponents have criticised the move as a “virtue show”, saying the mayor’s house, whose flagpole has been there since 1868, is being used as a “political pawn”.
Today, the Ukrainian national flag flies over the Mansion House.
Stuart Simons, 72, told MailOnline he was not happy with the decision.
The retired welder said: “There are good reasons for the Ukrainian flag, which is there now, to fly to show our solidarity with their cause. It should remain there until the war is over.”
“The council should stick to traditional national flags, not rainbow flags. There are plenty of other places where rainbow flags can be flown, but not at the Mansion House.”
Holidaymakers Gary Cooper, 70, and his wife Lesley, 69, who are enjoying their 48th wedding anniversary in York, agreed with the objectors.
Gary, from Grimsby, North Lincolnshire, said: “I’m from a generation where you don’t have to shout who you are, you just get on with it.”
Lesley added: “I don’t know why they feel the need to fly the rainbow flag over that building.”
Objector Gwen Swinburn said this would result in the city’s main flagpole being used as a political pawn.
She said: ‘Decisions behind closed doors about as yet unknown flags mean that conflicts will inevitably arise – if a priority is not set, certain flags are likely to be put up and others rejected. After all, I’m sure there could be a local argument about almost any flag.’
But others on the university campus are actively embracing the move to allow the rainbow flag.
Service manager Lilli and Emily, Pink’s supervisor, said they were “totally in favour” of the new flags being used.
Father and daughter Jeff Melbourne, 77, and Liz Nugent, 52, who were visiting York from Sheffield, said they had “no problem” with the flag being flown.
“I don’t know why they feel the need to fly the rainbow flag over that building.”
Lilli Duplock, 22, and Emily Porter, 25, work at the Pink Cocktail Bar in St Helen’s Square.
Service director Lilli said: ‘It’s incredible news that the council has agreed to fly the Pride flag.
“They are adapting to the new times and I hope to see the rainbow flag flying high.”
Emily said: “I’m all for the flag. I hope everyone feels included now, and it’s great news for the city of York.”
Father and daughter Jeff Melbourne, 77, and Liz Nugent, 52, were visiting York from Sheffield.
Liz said: ‘I certainly support Ukraine, but that flag flying there now has seen better days.
“I have no problem with them being able to fly the pride flag.”
Jeff added: “I don’t mind either. I think it’s the right thing to do.”
Graeme Gallagher, 44, who was visiting York with his Jack Russell-Chihuahua cross dog Ziggy, said: ‘You get used to the usual British flags etc but the Pride flag doesn’t really bother me.
Graeme Gallagher, 44, who was visiting York with his Jack Russell-Chihuahua cross dog Ziggy, said the pride flag “doesn’t really bother me”.
The council ignored objections from members of the public, which included complaints that “vanity flags” would be waved as political options.
“I’m from Scotland and the rainbow flag is very present everywhere now. I think people just accept it and have gotten used to seeing it.”
“Richard of York” is thought to refer in mnemonic to Richard Plantagenet, the third Duke of York.
He had a strong claim to the English throne during the Wars of the Roses.
Richard’s “vain” battles are thought to refer to the numerous battles he fought in France and Ireland, where he gained much support for his right to be king.
However, his efforts were in vain as he was killed at the Battle of Wakefield in December 1460.
Pauline Stuchfield, Director of Housing and Communities at City of York Council, said: ‘Over the years, elected councillors from all parties, through Full Council resolutions, have agreed that a small number of flags should be flown to reflect what is important to York as a city.
‘This demonstrates cross-party support for a wide range of causes and communities and adds to the flags flown on royal birthdays and other notable events.
‘Any new requests to fly additional flags must be approved by political group leaders in accordance with the council’s Flag Flying Protocol, a procedure which is rarely used but is in place to maintain the integrity of flag flying at Mansion House.
“York is a diverse and culturally rich city, and we celebrate this fact. Flying certain flags on public buildings, such as the nationally approved rainbow flag, is an important way of demonstrating our commitment to equality and diversity to the rest of the world.”
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