Bolton Council defers flag policy after row over Palestinian flag proposal

Bolton Council has deferred its entire policy regarding the flying of flags on civic buildings following a contentious debate over a Green Party proposal to hoist the Palestinian flag above Bolton Central Library according to the Express. The decision arrived amid heated exchanges in the council chamber and a peaceful protest outside the building, highlighting ongoing domestic tensions surrounding geopolitical symbols on local government property.

The controversy began when Green Councillor Ismail Ibrahim submitted a question to be placed on the order paper for the full council meeting. As reported by The Bolton News, the proposal asked Labour council leader Akhtar Zaman to work with officials to secure approval for three measures. These included flying the Palestinian flag above Bolton Central Library on Sunday, 15 November 2026, to mark Palestinian Independence Day, establishing the flag-raising as an annual observance avoiding Remembrance Sunday, and ensuring Green Party involvement in the planning and execution.

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Tempers flared immediately during the session. Cllr Zaman criticised Cllr Ibrahim for declining to read out his own question according to the Express, an assertion that provoked an angry rebuttal from Cllr Ibrahim, who maintained he had merely requested that it be taken as written on the order paper. The disagreement escalated rapidly, prompting Green councillors to walk out of the chamber in fury, a move swiftly mirrored by Reform councillors who described the behaviour as disorderly and unacceptable according to The Bolton News.

The timing of the debate drew fierce condemnation from regional community figures. Marc Levy, chief executive of the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester and region, pointed out that the meeting coincided with the third anniversary of the October 7 attacks according to the Express. Mr Levy described the discussion as insensitive and outrageous, arguing that local authorities should concentrate on domestic priorities such as transport, social care, and the cost of living rather than importing foreign conflicts onto British streets.

Despite the empty seats left by the walkout, Cllr Zaman continued the meeting and addressed the chamber directly according to The Bolton News.

"The entire policy of the flying of flags on civic buildings will be taken to an all-party discussion group in the future,"

Akhtar Zaman, Labour Council Leader, via The Bolton News Cllr Zaman stated, adding that he was neither voting yes nor no to the specific proposal at that moment.

Local political leaders also weighed in on the wider implications. Conservative group leader Councillor Nadim Muslim condemned the initiative according to the Express, stating that submitting such a question amid rising antisemitism across the UK was wrong and arguing that the Green Party was misdirecting its focus. Both sets of councillors eventually returned to the chamber after the deferral to the all-party group was announced according to The Bolton News.

What to Watch Next

• Establishment and scheduling of Bolton Council's all-party discussion group to review civic flag protocols.
• Future council meetings where framework proposals regarding flags on public buildings are formally tabled for debate.
• Potential developments concerning national guidelines or consistency among UK local authorities regarding international solidarity displays.