Reform councillor in attack on RNLI station's Pride flag

THE deputy leader of Northumberland County Council’s Reform UK group has attacked an RNLI station for flying the Progressive Pride Flag.

- JAMES ROBINSON Local Democracy Reporter

In a scathing social media post, Coun Natalie Rolls accused the charity of “alienating” the public by flying the flag, which shows support for the LGBTQ+ community, at the Blyth lifeboat station.

The Wensleydale ward councillor received a considerable backlash from the public following the post on Facebook, while other local councillors have criticised her comments. The RNLI has said it is an apolitical organisation and decisions on what flags to fly are made at a local level.

Coun Rolls wrote: “THE RNLI HAS FALLEN TO GENDER IDEOLOGY. I’ve just received a reply from the RNLI after raising concerns about their decision to fly the Progress Pride flag at some lifeboat stations.

“They claim it’s ‘not political’ and is simply about ‘inclusion.’ But let's be honest: that flag now represents a dangerous and divisive ideology one that pushes the idea that children can be “born in the wrong body”, that biology is bigotry, and that women’s rights are up for debate.

“I told them plainly: this is not inclusion - it’s a war on freedom of speech, a war on women’s rights, and a war on reality.” She added: “The RNLI claims to rely on volunteers and public trust - yet they are choosing to alienate the silent majority by embracing fringe political ideology.

“They are not being neutral. They are signalling allegiance to a movement that demands compliance, not compassion.”