Councillor Stanley had sought assurances from council leader, Councillor Stephen Simkins, that council workers would not remove flags that had been erected by members of the public. Councillor Stanley retorted by asking if Councillor Simkins was implying that people in Wolverhampton were less capable of flying the flag safely than in other neighbouring authorities. But Councilor Simkins accused Councillor Stanley of trying to use the flag to create division. "it is unfortunate that, as a Reform councillor, Councillor Stanley is trying to reduce this to a simple 'yes' or 'no' answer, this is exactly the kind of politics that divides rather than unites," he said. "If people want to fly their flag, then fly it for the right reasons, not for political gain.