Labour ‘ashamed’ over Union flag

SIR Keir Starmer is facing a backlash from his MPs for ‘plastering’ the Union flag over their Labour leaflets – with even chief of staff Sue Gray said to have raised concerns.

He was hit by claims yesterday that some MPs had warned that prominent use of the flag could alienate ethnic minority voters.

A meeting of MPs from ethnic minority backgrounds is said to have heard complaints the party’s new Freepost leaflets were being unwisely ‘plastered with Union jacks’. And according to The Guardian, key aide Ms Gray had joined in the criticisms.

Labour denied the claim last night but The Mail on Sunday understands that Ms Gray, the daughter of Irish immigrants, has previously raised concerns over the party’s extensive use of the flag on its material. The row will infuriate Sir Keir, who has gone out of his way to distance his party from the allegedly ‘unpatriotic’ leadership of his predecessor Jeremy Corbyn.

In 2021, ten months after Sir Keir became leader, a leaked internal strategy report urged Labour to make ‘use of the [Union] flag’ to win back the trust of disillusioned supporters.

And Labour said last night: ‘Keir’s changed Labour Party is positive, progressive and patriotic. The Union flag is something we are proud to carry.’ However, Tory party chairman Richard Holden said the mask has slipped on Labour’s ‘play-acting patriotism’.

‘Far from transforming Labour and banishing the Britain-hating days of Corbyn, Sir Keir leads a... party that’s ashamed of our flag and our country,’ he said. ‘It’s utter nonsense to suggest minority ethnic communities are put off by the Union flag.’