Kane Blackwell, who contested Stratford and Bow in the recent general election, has condemned Tower Hamlets council for what he perceives as discriminatory treatment regarding flag displays.
The former Conservative candidate highlighted that Palestinian flags remained on display across the borough for extended periods, whilst English flags are being swiftly removed.
"During that election, there were Palestine flags strewn all over the place and on my way to work, I would see those flags all over the motorway, high street, everywhere," Mr Blackwell stated on GB News.
He expressed frustration at the apparent double standard, noting that "The Palestinian flags were up for weeks and weeks and these flags will be down in a matter of days, I expect. That's what irks a lot of people."
Kane Blackwell said the flag row shows London to be a 'cesspit of woke ideology'
|GB NEWS
Tower Hamlets council has defended its position, stating it maintains a "policy setting out which flags are flown from council buildings and on which occasions".
The authority confirmed it would take down St George's flags that patriotic campaigners had attached to street furniture as part of the "Operation Raise the Colours" movement.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
- Keir Starmer weighs in on flag row as PM labelled 'patriot who backs flying St George's cross'
- Prince Harry 'feeling regret' as Duke of Sussex looks to build bridges with Royal Family
- Maya Forstater attacks trans lawyer’s bid to overturn Supreme Court’s sex ruling: ‘Nonsense!’
A council representative explained: "While we recognise people wish to express their views, we have a responsibility to monitor and maintain council infrastructure."
The authority indicated that any flags fixed to council property without authorisation could be taken down during regular maintenance work.
Kane Blackwell joined Tom Harwood and Emily Carver on GB News
|GB NEWS
This stance follows the council's March 2024 decision to remove Palestinian flags from municipal buildings and street furniture after complaints from Jewish residents who found the displays "oppressive and intimidating".
The controversy has drawn sharp criticism from senior Conservative figures who view the council's actions as evidence of prejudice against British symbols.
Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick condemned what he called "absurd national self-loathing", stating: "Tower Hamlets council have allowed Palestinian flags to be publicly displayed on lampposts but not the flag of our country."
Sir Iain Duncan Smith, the former Conservative leader, questioned the logic behind the differential treatment. "Why would we leave [Palestinian flags] up and take down flags that represent one of the countries of the UK?" he asked.
Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman advocated for greater visibility of national symbols, describing the flag as "a great source of pride and patriotism" that "should be flown from as many places as possible as often as possible".
Mr Blackwell launched a broader attack on what he perceives as anti-British sentiment in the capital, declaring that London and other urban centres have become "a cesspit of woke ideology where being British is seen as a sin in the eyes of many in those areas".
The former parliamentary candidate, who has since relocated from London to Sittingbourne and Sheppey, contrasted attitudes towards national symbols between different parts of the country. "If you displayed an England flag here, they love it," he said of his new constituency.
He argued that the St George's Cross should receive equal welcome across Britain, emphasising its inclusive nature: "That flag incorporates all of us and it doesn't say, 'you shouldn't be here because of the colour of your skin', that flag is for all Britons."