{"id":59456,"date":"2026-05-22T08:54:11","date_gmt":"2026-05-22T12:54:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/reform-wales-leader-dan-thomas-backs-call-to-remove-ukraine-flag-outside-senedd\/22\/05\/2026\/"},"modified":"2026-05-22T08:54:11","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T12:54:11","slug":"reform-wales-leader-dan-thomas-backs-call-to-remove-ukraine-flag-outside-senedd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/reform-wales-leader-dan-thomas-backs-call-to-remove-ukraine-flag-outside-senedd\/22\/05\/2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Reform Wales leader Dan Thomas backs call to remove Ukraine flag outside Senedd"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\n<\/p>\n<div data-article-body=\"true\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Reform UK&#8217;s leader in Wales has backed calls from one of his Senedd members for the Ukrainian flag outside the Welsh Parliament to be removed.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Dan Thomas said he thought &#8220;all flags flown in the United Kingdom should be United Kingdom flags&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">His comments came after the party&#8217;s finance spokesman, Cai Parry-Jones, called flying Ukraine&#8217;s blue and yellow flag outside the Senedd building &#8220;virtue signalling&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Speaking to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/programmes\/m000dk1n?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:BBC Politics Wales;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;BBC Politics Wales&quot;}\" class=\"link \">BBC Politics Wales<\/a>, in an interview to be broadcast on Sunday, Thomas said: &#8220;Yes, I would like to see that flag removed. We could replace it with the Cardiff County flag or something like that.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The parliament has declined to comment on the flag question.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The Ukrainian flag has been flown in Cardiff Bay, and also on other public buildings throughout the UK, since the full-scale invasion of the country by Russia began in February 2022.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Welsh Conservative Senedd leader Darren Millar said the flag was a &#8220;visible sign of the Senedd&#8217;s resolute opposition to Russia&#8217;s illegal invasion&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">But Thomas told the programme: &#8220;I think all flags flown in the United Kingdom should be United Kingdom flags, and even counties as well.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Asked what was wrong with showing solidarity with Ukraine, Thomas responded: &#8220;We can show solidarity, and we have as a country, but we could do it without without flying the flags.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Reform UK&#8217;s leader Nigel Farage recently said that under a Reform government &#8220;there will be no foreign flags flown above our public buildings&#8221;.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-0 size-full\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-3 right-3 rounded-full bg-primary p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-primary\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" class=\"flex-none size-4 -scale-x-100 text-primary lg:size-6 [&amp;_path]:fill-current\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M3.1 3.1V11h1.8V6.314l5.392 5.393 1.415-1.414L6.313 4.9H11V3.1zm17.8 17.8V13h-1.8v4.686l-5.393-5.393-1.415 1.414 5.393 5.393H13v1.8z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 top-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-primary hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>Dan Thomas leads the largest Senedd opposition group of 34 Reform politicians [BBC]<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Parry-Jones, like Thomas one of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/articles\/cz62jjy8gzvo?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:Reform's large new intake of Senedd members;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;Reform'&quot;}\" class=\"link \">Reform&#8217;s large new intake of Senedd members<\/a> at the recent Welsh Parliament election, said: &#8220;Wales is a proud part of the United Kingdom and the Senedd estate should reflect that fact by flying an equal number of Welsh and Union flags at all times.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/uk-wales-politics-52442634?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:MS;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;MS&quot;}\" class=\"link \">MS<\/a> told BBC Wales: &#8220;I stand solidly behind the people of Ukraine who are rightly standing up to Putin following his illegal invasion of their country.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">But he added: &#8220;Flying their flag is not doing anything to keep Russia at bay.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;We need to move away from virtue signalling politics &#8211; people see through it and rightfully want politicians to go back to focusing on bread-and-butter issues that will positively and noticeably impact the people of Wales, such as health, education, and the Welsh economy.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">It comes after a newly-elected Reform administration in Essex <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/articles\/cgqp4nev13qo?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:removed a Ukrainian flag earlier this month;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;removed a Ukrainian flag earlier this month&quot;}\" class=\"link \">removed a Ukrainian flag earlier this month<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Its leader Peter Harris called it a &#8220;proud moment&#8221;, while the council&#8217;s Tory opposition said it could encourage &#8220;pro-Kremlin politics&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Currently the Senedd flies two Welsh flags and one Union flag &#8211; commonly known as the union jack &#8211; at the front of the building, alongside the flag of Ukraine.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Occasionally one of the Welsh flags is replaced with a flag related to a special event.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The Welsh government also flies a Ukrainian flag at its headquarters in Cathays Park, Cardiff.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Cai Parry-Jones\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"761\" height=\"761\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/xXh7Lk5pneD8fjzNDdtCkQ--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTk2MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/bbc_us_articles_995\/a0ffbdf241d3461a4e8090c8aaf2f99f\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-0 size-full\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-3 right-3 rounded-full bg-primary p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-primary\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" class=\"flex-none size-4 -scale-x-100 text-primary lg:size-6 [&amp;_path]:fill-current\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M3.1 3.1V11h1.8V6.314l5.392 5.393 1.415-1.414L6.313 4.9H11V3.1zm17.8 17.8V13h-1.8v4.686l-5.393-5.393-1.415 1.414 5.393 5.393H13v1.8z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 top-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-primary hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>Cai Parry-Jones says flying the Ukraine flag &#8220;is not doing anything to keep Russia at bay&#8221; [Senedd Cymru]<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Any future decision on the flags that fly outside the estate will be for Labour&#8217;s Huw Irranca-Davies, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/live\/c78ew0w095qt?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:who became Llywydd;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;who became Llywydd&quot;}\" class=\"link \">who became Llywydd<\/a> (presiding officer) after the election earlier in May.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">A cross party group of Senedd members had in the previous term worked together to raise funds and source vehicles for the country &#8211; former Labour MS and ex-minister <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/uk-wales-politics-60508111?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:Mick Antoniw;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;Mick Antoniw&quot;}\" class=\"link \">Mick Antoniw<\/a> has repeatedly visited the country since the war began.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Welsh Conservative Senedd leader Darren Millar said: &#8220;I support the flying of the Ukrainian flag outside our parliament.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;It&#8217;s a visible sign of the Senedd&#8217;s resolute opposition to Russia&#8217;s illegal invasion of Ukraine.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;Having visited Ukraine last year with one of Reform&#8217;s MSs I am surprised and disappointed by their position.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The Welsh government also declined to comment.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"mb-4\">\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\">\n<div class=\"\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><strong><em>You can see Politics Wales on BBC One Wales at 10:00 BST on Sunday 24 May and on <\/em><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/programmes\/m000dk1n?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:BBC iPlayer;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;BBC iPlayer&quot;}\" class=\"link \"><strong><em>BBC iPlayer<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">More top stories<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/news\/politics\/articles\/reform-ms-says-virtue-signalling-051739688.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Reform UK&rsquo;s leader in Wales has backed calls from one of his Senedd members for the Ukrainian flag outside the Welsh Parliament<br \/><button class=\"read-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/reform-wales-leader-dan-thomas-backs-call-to-remove-ukraine-flag-outside-senedd\/22\/05\/2026\/\">Read More 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