An Isle of Wight councillor has accused Reform UK members of creating ‘hatred and bad feeling’ during a heated debate over equality, diversity and flags at County Hall.
Cllr Karl Love made the accusation as councillors debated a motion calling on the Isle of Wight Council to reaffirm its commitment to its Equality Objectives 2023-27 and its support for minority communities.
The independent councillor told a Full Council meeting last week (Wednesday) that he and many members of the LGBT community “no longer feel safe” on the Island.
An amended version of Cllr Love’s motion was ultimately approved by councillors.
It reaffirmed the authority’s continuing commitment to the principles and protections of the Equality Act 2010 and recognised that diversity and inclusion strengthen the Island community.
The motion also restated the council’s commitment to flying national flags at County Hall alongside other flags for which existing permission is already in place.
The Equality Act 2010 prohibits direct and indirect discrimination, harassment and victimisation on the basis of protected characteristics, including sexual orientation, sex, race, religion or belief, disability and age.
During the debate, Reform UK councillor Robert Newton said he supported what he described as the principles behind the motion – dignity, equality, freedom and the right for people to express who they are.
However, he raised concerns about the use of flags representing particular groups.
Cllr Newton said:
“But my difficulty with this motion is the additional use of any particular group flag.
“I believe the Union Flag already represents every resident, every background and every community equally.”
Conservative group leader Cllr Ed Blake said the amendment before councillors did not change the authority’s existing procedures surrounding flags.
Cllr Blake said:
“This amendment reaffirms our current flag policy so I disagree with the point that’s just been made.
“It’s a bit of a moot point given that the motion has substantially changed.”
Cllr Love responded by stressing that he had not sought any change to the council’s policy on flags.
Cllr Love said:
“The Union Flag is one of the most important things in my life.
“You have created hatred and bad feeling.”
His comments prompted an immediate intervention from the council’s vice-chair, Reform UK councillor Tony Barry.
Cllr Barry said:
“Stop there, stop there Cllr Love, stop there. No, we’re not having this.
“There was no mention of hatred. In fact, there was quite a lot of mention of supporting diversity – you are the one now coming out with poor attitude and poor speech.”
Reform UK group leader Cllr James Whelan then addressed the meeting, saying he had initially been unsure whether to speak but felt he had a responsibility to do so “as a man that happens to be gay”.
Cllr Whelan said:
“The original fight for gay equality was about exactly that – equality.
“It wasn’t about creating different classes of citizens, it wasn’t about placing one identity above another, it wasn’t about asking public bodies to take positions in every cultural debate, it was about ensuring the government treated everybody the same.
“That remains my view today and that remains the view of my group.”
Cllr Love later said he had “obviously touched a nerve for a lot of people” before explaining why he believed concerns within the LGBT community needed to be addressed.
Cllr Love said:
“Why do I feel frightened now? Why do I have to look over my shoulder? I experience it and so do a lot of the LGBT community and other people.
“They are feeling that fear and that needs to be addressed.
“Do you want to live on an Island that’s united or do you want to live on an Island that lives in fear?”
The amended motion was passed with 17 councillors voting in favour.
Those supporting it included members of the Conservative and Green groups, an independent councillor, 3 Liberal Democrats, 5 Island First Network members, the All for Islanders group and the council’s Labour member.
Three Reform UK councillors voted against the motion, while 15 members of the group abstained.
