Warwickshire Pride has responded to the draft flag policy for Warwickshire County Council set to come into place this month (September 2025).

At a Reform press conference last week (29 August), Cllr Finch expressed that he believed this new flag policy was 'fair' and decided by the 'apolitical chairman' of the council, taking it out of his hands. 

Cllr Finch said: "It's a pretty fair policy that I doubt anybody on the council will disagree with.

"It's taking it out of politics, it's taking it out of my hands…and it's putting it into the hands of the chair of the council, which is a non-political position."

However, Warwickshire Pride has since expressed concerns about the policy, which is proposed for 4 September's cabinet meeting.

In a recent letter addressed to Cllr Finch and the members of Warwickshire County Council's Cabinet, the charity cited several issues, including concerns over "the absence of any mention of the Pride flag."

Warwickshire Pride has responded to the draft Flag Policy (image via Warwickshire Pride)

Amongst the concerns was also "the change to concentrate the authority to decide what flags are flown in a single political role, despite councillors from at least five different political parties making up the council and no party having an overall majority."

It was further stated: "Flying the Pride flag is an important symbol of solidarity with, support for, and recognition of a marginalised and targeted group. 

"People who are part of the LGBTQ+ community range from your constituents to colleagues, friends, and family members. 

"As an LGBTQ+ charity, we are keenly aware of the non-stop homophobic and transphobic vitriol aimed at the community and its members."

Furthermore, the letter said the Council's decision to fly the flag "represents the idea that LGBTQ+ people are welcome in society and that they are not alone."

It concluded by urging the Council to amend the proposed flag policy, and formalise the flying of the Pride flag during Pride month, which has caused "no incident" for many years and therefore there is "no reason to risk a regressive and outdated move of having to hide rainbow colours."