Reform UK MP Sarah Pochin has hit out at the "disappearance" of British culture, as she defended the party's plans to ban "woke" flags in local authorities.
In her first sit-down interview since being elected, Pochin told GB News that she "couldn't resist" joining such an "incredible party".
Speaking to Martin Daubney, Pochin hailed her "monumental day" after being sworn in, declaring that the "work starts now" for her and Reform UK.
She stated: "The country really needs good people that are in it for the right reasons."
Sarah Pochin sat down with GB News for her first interview since being elected as Runcorn MP
GB News
Discussing one of Reform's latest policies, which will see local authorities "banned" from flying any flags aside from the Union Jack or the St George's Cross in councils they control, Pochin claimed that the culture in Britain is "disappearing".
Defending the move, Pochin explained: "It matters because the flag that we should be flying is the British flag. I'm very proud to be British, my father was in the army. I was brought up in a very proud household. And that seems to be disappearing from our society.
"In fact, I'd go further and say we're being taught to almost apologise for our British roots, and Reform have said enough is enough. You can't stand up and be proud to British - somebody has to say this because otherwise our culture is under threat."
Recalling the many issues her constituents raised on the doorstep, Pochin told GB News that the "increase in illegal immigrants" has been causing problems in the area.
Sarah Pochin was sworn in as Reform UK's first female MP in the House of Commons today
X / Sarah Pochin
Pochin revealed: "Runcorn has an increasing problem with illegal immigrants that are being housed, first of all, in a migrant hotel. Labour U-turned on that during the election and said they'd shut it down - I feel that was because of constant pressure from Reform, raising these issues on behalf of people, as I say, who don't have their own voice.
"People would come to me, telling me that they felt unsafe walking around the streets, felt that they couldn't let their children out to play, particularly daughters. Stories of illegal immigrants filming children, really horrific stuff.
"I saw CCTV that had been taken to the police of illegal immigrant gangs at night in these houses of multiple occupancy -private landlord accommodation - drug dealing, using knives, very, very threatening behaviour in a street where you have normal, hardworking, decent families, suddenly finding themselves next door to a house like this."
When pressed by Martin on whether these issues are "divisive", Pochin disagreed, stating: "It's not divisive, it's brave, and we need to stand up and talk about this.
Pochin told GB News that she is 'brave' to speak out on issues such as illegal migration
GB News
"And this is exactly what Reform does, because this is an increasing problem that if it's not tackled, these illegal immigrants, once they go into private housing, they disappear into the community. There's no way to trace them.
"So they go from these migrant hotels which Labour says they're going to shut - well, what are they doing? So it is a dangerous issue, and I will stand up for these women that feel threatened."
Responding to reports of the party's "ban" on "woke flags", a Reform spokesman said: "Reform UK will proudly fly the Union Jack, St George's Flag and county flags.
"Unlike the Tories and Labour, we are proud of our country and history."
