£7k waste on Operation Raise the Colours cleanup in Reading

Last summer, people involved in the operation attached England and United Kingdom flags to lampposts, and painted St George's crosses on road markings.

A freedom of information (FOI) request from the Local Democracy Reporting Service has found that a total of £7403.68 has been spent on removal and cleanup operations.

Much of the activism took place in the Church ward of Whitley, with crosses on road markings being spotted in Brixham Road, Callington Road and Northumberland Avenue. 

Parties standing in Church ward have been asked to react to the FOI.

Councillor James Moore (Liberal Democrats, Tilehurst) said: “Lib Dems are proud of our flag and what it stands for — decency, tolerance, and respect for one another. We have no issue with people expressing pride in their country.

“However, we do think it is a shame that Reading residents have had to pay over £7,000 to clear up unauthorised graffiti on public roads.

Reading Liberal Democrat councillors, all representatives for Tilehurst: Meri O Connell, new group leader James Moore and Anne Thompson. Credit: Reading Liberal Democrats (Image: Reading Liberal Democrats)

“That is money that could have been spent on local services, and we would encourage anyone who wants to celebrate their community to do so in a way that does not place an unnecessary burden on local taxpayers.”

The Liberal Democrat candidate for Church ward is Mark Cole. 

Councillor Isobel Ballsdon, the Conservative candidate for Caversham Heights ward, said: “Graffiti is vandalism, plain and simple, and residents shouldn’t be left picking up the bill. Thousands of pounds of taxpayers’ money has been wasted cleaning this up, money that should have been spent instead on frontline services and positive initiatives.”

Isobel Ballsdon and Saadia Saadat, the Conservative candidates for Caversham Heights for the Reading Borough Council elections 2026. (Image: Reading Central Conservatives)

Adam Phelps is the Conservative candidate for Church ward.

Cllr Dave McElroy (Green, Redlands) said: “Gosh, what a waste of money.

“I suggest anyone who cares about their community and has enough spare time to paint flags everywhere stops wasting the council's time and instead signs up for Reading Lions.

“Become a man of your community, it's good for the soul.”

Dave McElroy, an incumbent councillor and Green Party candidate for Redlands ward in Erleigh Road, East Reading. Credit: Reading Green Party

Former councillor Jamie Whitham is standing as the Green Party candidate for Church ward. 

A response was requested from Liz Terry (Labour, Coley), the leader of the Labour group and current council leader on behalf of sitting cllr Ruth McEwan, who is the Labour candidate for Church ward. 

A request was also sent to Matthew Reynolds, the Reform UK candidate. 

These responses will be added when they become available.