‘Virtue signalling’ row over council plans to fly trans and pride flags from Grade I listed town hall

Furious residents have slammed their ‘virtue signalling’ council over plans to fly trans and LGBT pride flags on their historic town hall.

Residents of the historic city of York have fiercely criticised councillors after they voted to fly the colourful York Pride and trans awareness flags above Mansion House, in the central St Helen’s Square.

Opponents claim they are using the mayor’s house, whose flagpole has stood there since 1868, as a “political pawn.”

It has been used for over 150 years to fly national, international and community flags, including sports clubs and the national flag. It is the main flagpole for the City of York Council.

The rainbow flag is already allowed to be flown, based on a rule that stipulates that banners may be flown ‘with six horizontal, equal stripes’.

At a planning meeting last week, it was decided to fly community flags and other flags, including those representing York Pride, trans awareness and UNESCO City of Media Arts status, from the listed building.

The council ignored objections from the public, including complaints that ‘vain flags’ were being flown as a political choice, and only the British flag, the Flag of York, the Royal Standard, national flags and military ensigns were allowed to be displayed.

The summary of one objection read: ‘Approval will allow City of York Council to lawfully raise the ‘proper signage flags’, which has previously been in breach of planning regulations.

‘It is not up to certain officers or the ruling group to arbitrarily determine which flags may or may not be hoisted.

“I object to the waving of any ‘variety’ of vanity flags, provided that political choices are made behind closed doors.”

Another said: ‘As a war veteran I find this highly inappropriate on a listed 18th century municipal building.

‘The flagpole must maintain decorum and seriousness and the flags must be hoisted only by persons who do not require permission.’

The Ukrainian national flag is currently flying in the Mansion House.

Stuart Simons, 72, told MailOnline he is not happy with the decision.

The retired welder said: ‘There is a good reason to raise the Ukrainian flag, which is there now, to show our solidarity behind 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 to fly rainbow flags – but not at the Mansion House.’

Tourists Gary Cooper, 70, and his wife Lesley, 69, who celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary in York, agreed with the naysayers.

Gary, from Grimsby, North Lincolnshire, said: ‘I’m from a generation where you don’t have to shout from the rooftops who you are, you just do your own thing.’

Lesley added: ‘I don’t understand why they feel the need to fly the rainbow flag over that building.’

Opponent Gwen Swinburn said it would lead to the city’s main flagpole being used as a political pawn.

She said: ‘Decisions made behind closed doors on as yet unidentified flags mean that conflicts are bound to arise, and without prioritisation some flags are likely to be flown and others refused. After all, I am sure there can be a local argument for almost any flag.’

But others in the university town are welcoming the move to allow the rainbow flag.

“I don’t understand why they want to raise the rainbow flag over that building.”

Lilli Duplock, 22, and Emily Porter, 25, work at the Pink Cocktail Bar on St Helen’s Square.

Duty Manager Lilli said: “It is great news that the council has agreed to the raising of the pride flag.

“They are moving with the times and I look forward to seeing the rainbow flag flying.”

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, visited York from Sheffield.

Liz said: ‘I certainly support Ukraine, but the flag flying there now has seen better days.

‘I also have no problem with them being allowed to fly the pride flag.’

Jeff added, “I don’t have a problem with it either. It seems like the right thing to do.”

Graeme Gallagher, 44, who visited York with his Jack Russell-Chihuahua cross Ziggy, said: ‘You get used to the usual Union Jack flags and things like that, but the pride flag doesn’t really bother me.

‘I’m from Scotland and the rainbow flag is everywhere now. I think people just accept it and are used to it.’

The mnemonic assumes that ‘Richard of York’ refers to Richard Plantagenet, the third Duke of York.

During the Wars of the Roses he had a strong claim to the English throne.

It is thought that Richard’s ‘vain’ battles refer to the many 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 York City Council, said: ‘Over the years, elected councillors from all parties, through full council resolutions, have agreed to fly a small number of flags that reflect what is important to York as a city.

‘This demonstrates cross-party support for diverse causes and communities and complements the flags flown on royal birthdays and other notable occasions.

‘New requests for additional flags must be approved by the political group leaders, in accordance with the Council’s flag-waving protocol. This procedure is rarely used, but is intended to ensure the integrity of flag-waving at the Mansion House.

‘York is a diverse, culturally rich city and we welcome and celebrate this fact. Flying certain flags from public buildings, such as the nationally approved rainbow flag, is an important way for us to demonstrate our commitment to equality and diversity to the rest of the world.’