UNISON has condemned Havering Council’s decision to cancel this year’s Pride Month flag-raising ceremony and prevent the Pride flag from being flown outside Havering Town Hall, describing the move as “a cynical attempt to ignite culture wars in the borough.”
The union said members were informed with less than 74 working hours’ notice that the planned ceremony would no longer go ahead following a policy change introduced by the borough’s new Reform UK-led administration.
UNISON London regional secretary Sara Gorton said: “The first action of Reform’s only London council seems designed to provoke division between residents.
“Councils have an important role in creating a strong sense of unity and cohesion in the borough. This cancellation signals a distraction from the real work needed to improve the daily lives of residents and the services they rely on. ”
UNISON Havering said it would continue to stand alongside local equality organisations and councillors in support of LGBT+ residents and staff.
In a statement, which the full version can be found here, the branch said: “For many people, the Pride flag is an important symbol of support, belonging and respect.”
“UNISON Havering, alongside councillors, the Havering Race and Equalities Alliance and Havering LGBT+ Action & Rights Association, remains firmly committed to equality, inclusion and the visibility of all our communities.”
Despite the cancellation of the official event, UNISON members, councillors and campaign groups will still gather outside Havering Town Hall at 11:50am on Monday to demonstrate solidarity with LGBT+ residents, workers and families during Pride month.