Union Flag Scheme Stalls in Nottinghamshire: £75,000 Cost Falls on Council

In autumn 2025, Nottinghamshire County Council, newly led by Reform UK after the May 2025 elections, approved a £75,000 plan to install Union flags on about 180 lamp-posts and other sites. The council called it a civic-pride project, saying local businesses would fund fittings, upkeep and maintenance, so no taxpayer money would be spent. The video featured council leader Mick Barton and cabinet member James Walker-Gurley.

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Reform UK’s platform mandates flying only the Union flag, St George’s flag and local emblems. After taking control, the council removed Ukrainian flags displayed in solidarity with Ukraine, a move criticised by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. It also faced a dispute over a ban on journalists from the county’s largest newspaper, lifted after a threatened legal action.

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The council allocated £75,000 for brackets, fittings and maintenance for about 180 flag sites. By July 2026, no local business had taken a sponsorship role, leaving the council to fund the entire installation.

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A council spokesperson confirmed no sponsors had been secured and the council funds the scheme. Reform representatives, citing Lee Anderson’s December 2025 video, said the plan was meant to generate profit through sponsorship and to promote foster-care recruitment.

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Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper called the spending “£75k Lee” and said Reform’s financial approach resembles a “Trumpian playbook.” Critics also highlighted the council’s restriction on local journalists as an attempt to limit scrutiny.

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Lee Anderson said the council would “make a profit” from the flags, but the July 2026 update shows no sponsorship revenue and no audit has verified any profit.

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• “There’s been a few people moaning about these in … the usual third-rate media outlets, saying it’s cost £75,000 and it’s a waste of taxpayers’ money.” — Lee Anderson, MP

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• “ He went on: “Let me tell you: yes, it has cost £75,000 to put these up all throughout Nottinghamshire, but the good news is, it will not cost the taxpayer a single penny because we want to get these sponsored by local businesses.” — Lee Anderson, MP

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• “They’re going to pay for the fitting, the upkeep and the maintenance. And guess what: we’re actually going to make a profit on these … The people who are spouting this nonsense about its costing us a fortune – it’s not costing you a single penny.” — Lee Anderson, MP

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• “Daisy Cooper, the Liberal Democrat deputy leader, said: “Turns out 30p Lee is more like £75k Lee when it comes to spending taxpayers’ money.” — Daisy Cooper, Liberal Democrat deputy leader

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The council says the flags will remain while it continues to seek sponsorship. Upcoming meetings will review the scheme’s sustainability and consider alternative funding or removal.

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