Birmingham City Council has reignited its flag row by lighting up its local library to mark India’s independence just hours after showing the same courtesy to Pakistan.
In a social media post, which almost immediately removed the ability for users to leave a comment, Birmingham City Council wrote: “Tonight we will be lighting the Library of Birmingham orange, green and white to mark the eve of 79th anniversary of India’s independence day which is celebrated on August 15.”
It costs a staggering £500 a day to light up the library, Birmingham City Council has admitted.
However, Birmingham residents have been forced to cough up an extra 7.75 per cent in council tax as the cash-stricken local authority grapples with its ongoing bin strike.
Local services have also been hampered by a £148million cut in spending after Birmingham City Council declared bankruptcy in September 2023.
The Labour-run council’s decision to mark India and Pakistan independence also comes after it vowed to remove “dangerous” British flags from lamp posts.
The Library of Birmingham was showing the colours of the Indian flag
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“Placing unauthorised attachments on street furniture, particularly tall structures like lamp posts, can be dangerous,” the council said in a statement.
However, Reform UK MP Lee Anderson “This is nothing short of a disgrace and shows utter contempt for the British people.
“We should be flying our flags with pride. Our nation has a rich history of hospitality, generosity and innovation – something to be celebrated, not condemned.
“Any elected official who supports removing the British or English flags, restricting personal freedoms, or silencing free speech should be removed from office for betraying the very country they serve.”
A flag of St George flies in Birmingham
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Birmingham City Council’s Conservative leader Robert Alden added: “Our national flags are nothing to be ashamed of.
“Seeing our flags flying gives us all pride in our shared history and achievements as a great nation.
“Birmingham City Council should be proud to fly them across the City. Labour rushing to rip them down is shameful.”
England’s second-largest city, which contains a large number of Pakistani and Indian residents, was also a hotspot for pro-Palestine flag-waving following the October 7 terror attack in 2023.
Activists from Weoley Warriors and Weoley Castle Warriors have since organised a fundraiser to support the campaign to fly Union Jacks and the flag of St George – raising more than £3,400 in four days.
In its description of the “flags for the community” page, activists wrote: “A group of proud English men with a common goal to show Birmingham and the rest of the country of how proud we are of our history, freedoms and achievements.
“Giving hope to local communities that all isn’t lost and they are not alone. We will be using all funds for flags, poles and cable ties. We are happy to take road requests on donation, please use the contact function below.
“We have been overwhelmed with all of the donations given and road requests. Please bear with us as all volunteers work full time, we will endeavour to fulfil all requests.”
Union Jacks attached to lamp posts in Birmingham
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However, a spokesman for Birmingham City Council said its policy was to remove flags, posters and signs of any kind from street lamps or traffic lights.
It was also suggested that its programme to upgrade lamp posts to energy-efficient LEDs cannot continue if the flags are not removed.
The spokesman said: “People who attach unauthorised items to lamp posts could be putting their lives and those of motorists and pedestrians at risk.
“We are continuing to do this every week, and would ask that staff doing this work are allowed to continue this work unhindered.”
