“Whose flag flies here?”: The politics of symbolism in Carmarthenshire
At County Hall in Carmarthen, three flags fly: the Welsh Dragon, the council’s own standard, and the Ukrainian flag — a gesture of solidarity with a nation under siege. But the fourth pole stands empty. The Union Flag, which some councillors say should fly permanently alongside the others, is conspicuously absent.
That absence sparked a heated debate in the council chamber earlier this month, when Labour councillor Rob Evans (Dafen & Felinfoel) tabled a motion calling for the Union Jack to be flown daily at council buildings in Carmarthen, Llanelli and Ammanford.
“Our men and women in uniform don’t just serve on special occasions — they serve 365 days a year,” Cllr Evans told the chamber. “They fight under the Union Jack, and many have been buried beneath it after making the ultimate sacrifice. Surely the least we can do is honour them every single day.”
His Labour colleague Cllr Michael Thomas (Pembrey) echoed the call, saying the council’s current stance was “disingenuous” given its recent Defence Employer Recognition Scheme award.
But Plaid Cymru and Independent councillors in the ruling administration rejected the proposal. They argued that permanently flying the Union Flag was “too political” and risked alienating residents. One Plaid member said some in Carmarthenshire would not want to stand under the Union Jack because of “600 years of London rule.”
The motion was defeated, with 41 councillors voting against, 22 in favour, and two abstaining.
How councillors voted
Party / GroupForAgainstAbstainedNotes
Labour1200Motion proposed by Cllr Rob Evans. Cllr Michael Thomas spoke in support.
Plaid Cymru0380Voted as a bloc against, citing political neutrality and independence stance.
Independents832Split: some backed Labour, others aligned with Plaid administration.
Reform UK200Cllrs Michelle Beer (Lliedi) and Carmelo Colasanto (Llangennech) voted
for.
Total22412Motion defeated.
Flags on the streets
The row over the Union Flag came just days before another controversy. Carmarthenshire Council was criticised by Reform UK councillors after removing Welsh flags that had been attached to lampposts as part of the Raise the Colours campaign.
Cllr Michelle Beer (Reform UK, Lliedi) said:
“It is with deep disappointment that we witness the Plaid Cymru‑led council’s decision to remove Welsh flags from lampposts across our county. The Welsh flag, a proud symbol of our heritage and identity, has long served as a unifying emblem. Yet Plaid Cymru — the so‑called ‘Party of Wales’ — has chosen to strip this powerful symbol from our streets.”
The council defended its actions, saying flags attached to highway structures without permission are unlawful and can pose safety risks. A spokesperson said a new “dynamic risk assessment protocol” is now in place to manage such displays.
Welsh flags attached to lampposts in Pembrey, Carmarthenshire
(Image: Reform Carmarthenshire)The politics of colour
The Raise the Colours campaign itself has become controversial far beyond Carmarthenshire. Launched in summer 2025, it encouraged people to tie Union Jacks, St George’s Crosses and other national flags to lampposts, bridges and roundabouts. While supporters framed it as a grassroots celebration of patriotism, anti‑racist groups such as Hope Not Hate warned that it had been amplified by far‑right activists and linked to anti‑immigration protests across the UK. Polling suggested a significant share of the public saw the campaign as a statement against migrants rather than a neutral show of pride.
That wider context helps explain why the council’s decision to remove the flags has been so politically charged — and highlights the contrast with its choice to fly the Ukrainian flag at County Hall, a symbol of solidarity with a nation under attack that has broad cross‑party support.
A pattern of disputes
This is not the first time Carmarthenshire Council has faced scrutiny over its approach to flags. In 2018, the authority declined a request to fly the Pride flag during LGBT History Month, a decision campaigners said was out of step with other Welsh councils.
Taken together, the empty pole at County Hall, the removed banners from lampposts, and the rainbow flag that never flew suggest a pattern: in Carmarthenshire, decisions about what flies above civic buildings are shaped as much by politics as by protocol.
As Welsh Conservative MS Sam Rowlands put it in an earlier row over the Union Flag:
“We should be striving for actions and symbols that unite us, not divide us. Yet this decision is the petty nationalism that divides us.”
#Carmarthen #Carmarthenshire #CarmarthenshireCouncil #CllrMichaelThomas #CllrRobEvans #CountyHall #Dafen #Felinfoel #FlagPole #flags #Llanelli #Pembrey #RaiseTheFlag #UnionFlag
