Reform Wales leader Dan Thomas backs call to remove Ukraine flag outside Senedd
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, A Ukrainian flag has flown outside the Senedd since 2022, after Russia's full-scale invasion of the country ByDavid Deans, Wales political reporter and Cemlyn Davies, Wales political correspondent Published 22 May 2026, 06:17 BST Updated 1 hour ago Reform UK's leader in Wales has backed calls from one of his Senedd members for the Ukrainian flag outside the Welsh Parliament to be removed. Dan Thomas said he thought "all flags flown in the United Kingdom should be United Kingdom flags". His comments came after the party's finance spokesman, Cai Parry-Jones, called flying Ukraine's blue and yellow flag outside the Senedd building "virtue signalling". Speaking to BBC Politics Wales, in an interview to be broadcast on Sunday, Thomas said: "Yes, I would like to see that flag removed. We could replace it with the Cardiff County flag or something like that." The parliament has declined to comment on the flag question. 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. Welsh Conservative Senedd leader Darren Millar said the flag was a "visible sign of the Senedd's resolute opposition to Russia's illegal invasion". But Thomas told the programme: "I think all flags flown in the United Kingdom should be United Kingdom flags, and even counties as well." Asked what was wrong with showing solidarity with Ukraine, Thomas responded: "We can show solidarity, and we have as a country, but we could do it without without flying the flags." Reform UK's leader Nigel Farage recently said that under a Reform government "there will be no foreign flags flown above our public buildings". Image caption, Dan Thomas leads the largest Senedd opposition group of 34 Reform politicians Parry-Jones, like Thomas one of Reform's large new intake of Senedd members at the recent Welsh Parliament election, said: "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." The MS told BBC Wales: "I stand solidly behind the people of Ukraine who are rightly standing up to Putin following his illegal invasion of their country." But he added: "Flying their flag is not doing anything to keep Russia at bay. "We need to move away from virtue signalling politics - 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." Reform Senedd candidate blamed Nato for Ukraine war Published 2 April Former Welsh Reform leader jailed for pro-Russia bribery Published 21 November 2025 It comes after a newly-elected Reform administration in Essex removed a Ukrainian flag earlier this month. Its leader Peter Harris called it a "proud moment", while the council's Tory opposition said it could encourage "pro-Kremlin politics". Currently the Senedd flies two Welsh flags and one Union flag - commonly known as the union jack - at the front of the building, alongside the flag of Ukraine. Occasionally one of the Welsh flags is replaced with a flag related to a special event. The Welsh government also flies a Ukrainian flag at its headquarters in Cathays Park, Cardiff. Image source, Senedd Cymru Image caption, Cai Parry-Jones says flying the Ukraine flag "is not doing anything to keep Russia at bay" Any future decision on the flags that fly outside the estate will be for Labour's Huw Irranca-Davies, who became Llywydd (presiding officer) after the election earlier in May. A cross party group of Senedd members had in the previous term worked together to raise funds and source vehicles for the country - former Labour MS and ex-minister Mick Antoniw has repeatedly visited the country since the war began. Welsh Conservative Senedd leader Darren Millar said: "I support the flying of the Ukrainian flag outside our parliament. "It's a visible sign of the Senedd's resolute opposition to Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine. "Having visited Ukraine last year with one of Reform's MSs I am surprised and disappointed by their position." The Welsh government also declined to comment. You can see Politics Wales on BBC One Wales at 10:00 BST on Sunday 24 May and on BBC iPlayer Related topics Welsh Parliament Reform UK Wales More top stories Driver who plunged 330ft down mountain pass was saved by phone's crash alert Published 1 day ago Vandals rip door knockers off naked Terry Jones sculpture Published 1 day ago Cinema ban on unaccompanied under-16s after damaged seats and bad behaviour Published 1 day ago
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, A Ukrainian flag has flown outside the Senedd since 2022, after Russia's full-scale invasion of the country ByDavid Deans, Wales political reporter and Cemlyn Davies, Wales political correspondent Published 22 May 2026, 06:17 BST Updated 1 hour ago Reform UK's leader in Wales has backed calls from one of his Senedd members for the Ukrainian flag outside the Welsh Parliament to be removed. Dan Thomas said he thought "all flags flown in the United Kingdom should be United Kingdom flags". His comments came after the party's finance spokesman, Cai Parry-Jones, called flying Ukraine's blue and yellow flag outside the Senedd building "virtue signalling". Speaking to BBC Politics Wales, in an interview to be broadcast on Sunday, Thomas said: "Yes, I would like to see that flag removed. We could replace it with the Cardiff County flag or something like that." The parliament has declined to comment on the flag question. 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. Welsh Conservative Senedd leader Darren Millar said the flag was a "visible sign of the Senedd's resolute opposition to Russia's illegal invasion". But Thomas told the programme: "I think all flags flown in the United Kingdom should be United Kingdom flags, and even counties as well." Asked what was wrong with showing solidarity with Ukraine, Thomas responded: "We can show solidarity, and we have as a country, but we could do it without without flying the flags." Reform UK's leader Nigel Farage recently said that under a Reform government "there will be no foreign flags flown above our public buildings". Image caption, Dan Thomas leads the largest Senedd opposition group of 34 Reform politicians Parry-Jones, like Thomas one of Reform's large new intake of Senedd members at the recent Welsh Parliament election, said: "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." The MS told BBC Wales: "I stand solidly behind the people of Ukraine who are rightly standing up to Putin following his illegal invasion of their country." But he added: "Flying their flag is not doing anything to keep Russia at bay. "We need to move away from virtue signalling politics - 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." Reform Senedd candidate blamed Nato for Ukraine war Published 2 April Former Welsh Reform leader jailed for pro-Russia bribery Published 21 November 2025 It comes after a newly-elected Reform administration in Essex removed a Ukrainian flag earlier this month. Its leader Peter Harris called it a "proud moment", while the council's Tory opposition said it could encourage "pro-Kremlin politics". Currently the Senedd flies two Welsh flags and one Union flag - commonly known as the union jack - at the front of the building, alongside the flag of Ukraine. Occasionally one of the Welsh flags is replaced with a flag related to a special event. The Welsh government also flies a Ukrainian flag at its headquarters in Cathays Park, Cardiff. Image source, Senedd Cymru Image caption, Cai Parry-Jones says flying the Ukraine flag "is not doing anything to keep Russia at bay" Any future decision on the flags that fly outside the estate will be for Labour's Huw Irranca-Davies, who became Llywydd (presiding officer) after the election earlier in May. A cross party group of Senedd members had in the previous term worked together to raise funds and source vehicles for the country - former Labour MS and ex-minister Mick Antoniw has repeatedly visited the country since the war began. Welsh Conservative Senedd leader Darren Millar said: "I support the flying of the Ukrainian flag outside our parliament. "It's a visible sign of the Senedd's resolute opposition to Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine. "Having visited Ukraine last year with one of Reform's MSs I am surprised and disappointed by their position." The Welsh government also declined to comment. You can see Politics Wales on BBC One Wales at 10:00 BST on Sunday 24 May and on BBC iPlayer Related topics Welsh Parliament Reform UK Wales More top stories Driver who plunged 330ft down mountain pass was saved by phone's crash alert Published 1 day ago Vandals rip door knockers off naked Terry Jones sculpture Published 1 day ago Cinema ban on unaccompanied under-16s after damaged seats and bad behaviour Published 1 day ago
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