In Doncaster, the debate over flag displays continued as a Reform proposal sought to restrict town hall flagpoles to only the Union Jack. A Labour councillor called the idea "bizarre," arguing it would prevent the town from celebrating Yorkshire Day with the white rose flag, honoring local football victories, or recognizing England’s Euro-winning Lionesses with the St. George’s cross. Another dismissed it as a "waste of time and resources."
Meanwhile, in Nottinghamshire, Reform councillor Bert Bingham, now overseeing environmental policies, rejected the idea of human-caused climate change, labeling it a "hoax" and dismissing climate emergency declarations as "ridiculous." He accused the media of misleading the public on the issue.
In Kent, a Reform councillor claimed success in removing what they called "trans-ideological material" from children’s library shelves—though it later turned out the books were never there to begin with. In Durham, the deputy council leader, who is openly gay, vowed to cut all funding for Durham Pride, which had received less than £10,000 this year.
Since Reform’s gains in local elections earlier this year, their influence has begun to shape policy in several councils. The party marked 100 days in power by highlighting decisions such as opposing green energy projects, rejecting climate-friendly housing upgrades, and removing electric vehicle charging points.
Farage’s presence has dominated headlines, with weekly press conferences during the parliamentary recess aimed at bolstering his public profile. His announcements have included defections from the Conservatives, including a former police and crime commissioner and a Scottish parliament member.
While national attention has centered on immigration and asylum policies—particularly disputes over housing asylum seekers in hotels—Reform councils have started targeting shared housing (HMOs) used for asylum accommodation. Durham and West Northamptonshire have already taken steps to restrict such properties.
Despite Reform’s momentum, questions remain about their practical impact. Are residents seeing real changes? Why did voters support them? The answers may determine whether their local successes translate into broader political influence.
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