Reform MS says Ukraine flag should not fly at ‘virtue signalling’ Welsh Parliament

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Reform MS says Ukraine flag should not fly at 'virtue signalling' Welsh Parliament

A Reform politician says having the Ukrainian flag outside Wales' parliament is "virtue signalling" and should not be flown in front of the building.

Cai Parry-Jones said the parliament estate should also fly an equal number of Welsh and UK flags, and that he agreed with UK party leader Nigel Farage that those of foreign countries should not be flown over public buildings.

The blue and yellow flag of Ukraine has been flying outside the Senedd since the full-scale Russian invasion began in February 2022.

The parliament declined to comment, while Welsh Tory leader Darren Millar said the flag was a "visible sign of the Senedd's resolute opposition to Russia's illegal invasion".

Parry-Jones, one of Reform's large new intake of Senedd members at the recent Welsh Parliament election, said: "Wales is a proud part of the United Kingdom and the Senedd estate should reflect that fact by flying an equal number of Welsh and Union flags at all times."

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has said on X that the party would not fly foreign flags over public buildings.

Saying he agreed with his leader, the MS told BBC Wales: "I stand solidly behind the people of Ukraine who are rightly standing up to Putin following his illegal invasion of their country."

But he added: "Flying their flag is not doing anything to keep Russia at bay.

"We need to move away from virtue signalling politics – people see through it and rightfully want politicians to go back to focusing on bread-and-butter issues that will positively and noticeably impact the people of Wales, such as health, education, and the Welsh economy."

Senedd Cymru

It comes after a newly-elected Reform administration in Essex removed a Ukrainian flag earlier this month.

Its leader Peter Harris called it a "proud moment", while the council's Tory opposition said it could encourage "pro-Kremlin politics".

Ukrainian flags have been flown at government buildings across the UK since Russia's invasion started in February 2022.

Currently the Senedd flies two Welsh flags and one Union flag – commonly known as the union jack – at the front of the building, alongside the flag of Ukraine.

Occasionally one of the Welsh flags is replaced with a flag related to a special event. The Welsh government also flies a Ukrainian flag at its headquarters in Cathays Park, Cardiff.

Any future decision on the flags that fly outside the estate will be for Labour's Huw Irranca-Davies, who became Llywydd (presiding officer) after the election earlier in May.

A cross party group of Senedd members had in the previous term worked together to raise funds and source vehicles for the country – former Labour MS and ex-minister Mick Antoniw has repeatedly visited the country since the war began.

Welsh Conservative Senedd leader Darren Millar said: "I support the flying of the Ukrainian flag outside our parliament.

"It's a visible sign of the Senedd's resolute opposition to Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine.

"Having visited Ukraine last year with one of Reform's MSs I am surprised and disappointed by their position."

The Welsh government also declined to comment.

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