Waltham Forest Council leader Paul Perkins said the town hall will also be illuminated in red and white every evening in support of England’s World Cup campaign, reports Marco Marcelline
Waltham Forest Town Hall will be illuminated in red and white every evening and the Three Lions flag will be flying for the remainder of the World Cup.
The move comes after Waltham Forest Conservatives leader Emma Best wrote to council leader Paul Perkins yesterday (14th July), requesting the town hall fly the England flag in support of the team’s World Cup campaign.
Expressing the Conservatives’ disappointment that the town hall had not already decided to fly the flag, she added: “Given the team’s talisman, Harry Kane, was born in Whipps Cross and raised in Chingford, it feels even more important we show our support.”
In response, Cllr Perkins, of the Green Party, said: “I’m pleased to let you know that the Three Lions flag will be flying outside Waltham Forest Town Hall for the remainder of the tournament, and the building will also be illuminated in red and white each evening to mark England’s progress.
“I hope we can both agree, whatever happens in the semi-final, that Harry and the players have done the country proud.”
He ended the letter with the following proposal: “If England make the final, we should perhaps mark the occasion with a quick penalty shoot-out outside the Town Hall. It would be a fitting way to settle footballing – and flag-related – matters.”
Waltham Forest Council publicised its decision to fly the Three Lions flag on its social media platforms, prompting some residents to ask why the traditional St. George Cross was not flying instead.
One wrote on Facebook: “About time, three weeks late and not St.George”, while another said: “An England flag was requested by councillor Emma Best and you fly this? It’s not an England flag; this is what being fobbed off looks like, treat requests with respect.”
Councils in England are free to fly the St George’s cross year‑round if they choose. Conservative and Reform UK politicians have strongly encouraged its use as a symbol of national pride, while some Labour, Liberal Democrat and Green councils have been more cautious, citing concerns about the flag’s use by far-right groups.
Reacting to the decision to fly the Three Lions flag, Cllr Best told the Echo: “I’m grateful for the leader’s response and that we are unified in wanting to support our boys; that is the most important thing today!
“There are wider questions around the decision to deviate from flying the St. George flag which I hope are answered in due course.
“If it were down to me I would fly our national flag 365 days a year, but I do hope our new administration will at least be open to flying it on special occasions where it is appropriate to do so.”
She also accepted Cllr Perkins’ proposal of a penalty shootout, quipping: “I can’t wait, but I don’t rate his chances as I suspect he will pull too far to the left.”
England will play Argentina at 8pm tonight – find out where to watch the game in Waltham Forest here
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