A prominent councillor has admitted that he is a member of Reform UK during a heated debate about permanently flying the Union flag.
A councillor has sparked controversy by admitting his membership in Reform UK during a heated debate on flying the Union flag permanently at Sandhurst's memorial park.
John Edwards, who represents Owlsmoor on the town council, proposed the motion following the Operation Raise the Colours activism, which encouraged citizens to display UK and St George's cross flags, often without local council approval.
During the strategy and policy committee meeting on September 25, fellow councillors questioned Edwards' motivations, with Councillor Leigh Quigg from the Liberal Democrats expressing concerns about the far-right links of the Raise the Colours movement, stating it has made some residents feel intimidated.
Quigg remarked, “It’s divisive, and it is a shame because it is our flag.” Councillor Mike Forster, also a Liberal Democrat, accused Edwards' motion of being politically charged and directly asked if he was affiliated with Reform UK, to which Edwards confirmed, stating, “Yes, I am a member of Reform, but I am not a Reform councillor.”
Despite his independent status on the council, the admission raised eyebrows. Councillor Hazel Hill (Conservative) added that the current flag situation has caused distress among residents of foreign descent.
Ultimately, the motion to fly the Union flag was rejected, with only Councillor Michael Brossard supporting it. Meanwhile, predictions from Electoral Calculus suggest that Bracknell, which includes Sandhurst, could see a Reform gain in the next election, with Labour's Peter Swallow likely to lose his seat.
James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter
