Reform at County Hall: Culture Wars & Divisiveness

At this first meeting, their headline achievement was to vote to ‘review’ all net-zero initiatives to check they provide ‘clear value for money’. However, it was later pointed out that the council’s environmental policy does not actually use the phrase ‘net zero’ anywhere at all… 

Reform have also decided to ban the flying of any flag at County Hall other than British national or local flags or those for the armed or emergency services. The Ukrainian flag has been removed, and pride flags banned too because Reform see them as “divisive rather than unifying”. 

Cllr Brian Watkins, leader of the opposition at County Hall said:

Reform are engaging in typical, divisive, culture war tactics. With pride flags banned and now Norfolk libraries under inspection to remove mention of LGBT themes. 

Transcript:

0:01
Good afternoon.
0:03
Well it's just one thing after another at County Hall at the moment, this new Reform administration is certainly making its mark, but not in the way that any of us would like to see.
0:17
In the past few weeks we have seen the removal of the Ukrainian and Pride flags from County Hall, a drastic scaling down of the importance of net zero in climate change initiatives, and a thinly veiled threat to the working practices of staff employed by the council.
0:36
And this culminated in the resignation of the council's chief executive, Tom McCabe, last Friday.
0:44
At a time when the council faces huge challenges over the next two to three years, this is something that we can ill afford.
0:54
I want to tell you about something which has arisen today that I've just been notified about.
1:01
I am extremely alarmed at the prospect of the new reform administration at County Hall now instructing local libraries to scale back or even halt the promotion of Pride events across Norfolk.
1:18
Pride Month really should be a time when we celebrate wider culture and diversity within our communities, but instead Reform are running the risk of exacerbating prejudice and aggression.
1:33
The Liberal Democrats deeply condemn such moves.
1:38
Sadly, there appears to be those in society who would cheer any attempt to oppress any group that does not fit with their definition of normal.
1:51
This could be the thin end of the wedge.
1:55
Restricting the promotion of LGBTQ plus events in our local libraries not only threatens inclusion, it could be the start of further actions such as the banning of books and other material considered to be unsuitable.
2:12
I really do hope that common sense can still prevail, because this new offensive from Reform is deeply divisive and it must be stopped.
2:25
Thank you.