I have written to Wrexham County Borough Council regarding the increased number of flags placed around central Wrexham in recent weeks. While I am always pleased to see individuals or institutions proudly displaying our national flags, I consider the large numbers placed on public property such as lampposts and roundabouts to be detrimental to the City’s appearance. This is disrespectful to the true meaning of the flag, especially given they are flown at half-mast.
I further believe they represent an attempt to sow division in our community. Many residents from all backgrounds have spoken to me of feeling scared and intimidated and do not feel safe in the city centre due to the feelings evoked by the flags and other activities. These are families who were born in Wrexham and have lived here for the majority of their lives.
At a time when Wrexham is applying for City of Culture 2029 and is benefitting from considerable outside interest, we must consider the message that the appearance of hundreds of poorly maintained flags sends to those visiting Wrexham and those considering investing here.
As I have said before, and I will emphasise again, this is not the Wrexham that I know. Wrexham is a welcoming place, and immigration is part of our city. Actions and language matters and the politics of division and grievance that populism and nationalism feeds gets us nowhere. We are stronger when we work together, communicate and listen to each other. As our city enters another exciting phase in its growth, I firmly believe in remembering the welcome part of “Welcome to Wrexham”.
