Statement about flags that have gone up in our area

Cllr Paul Ray, leader of the Lib Dem councillors on Lichfield District Council has issued the following statement on behalf of the Lib Dem councillors on LDC.

“We have seen the recent Sky news item about Lichfield and have been contacted by various residents concerned about the flags that have gone up in recent weeks. We share these concerns.

“We have no problem with national flags being flown as they are important symbols of national pride but we are concerned about what this can do to our community cohesion.

“Also to blame the people who have recently arrived in our country for the current condition of the nation’s finances and public services is wrong. That is due to decisions made by current and previous governments.

“Any abuse or racism is totally unacceptable and we are seeing a small minority of far-right extremists seeking to undermine our British values of decency, tolerance and respect for the rule of law. The Liberal Democrats therefore have real sympathy for how many members of our ethnic minority communities must be feeling at present. 

“Liberal Democrats will always stand firm against hate, violence and racism in all its forms. There is nothing wrong with flying the flag and being proud to be British as long as it’s not being done to be intimidating or threatening to any communities.”