‘Wonderful’ MP Eleanor Smith is backed by Jeremy Corbyn
Jeremy Corbyn has insisted that ‘wonderful’ Eleanor Smith understands the ‘whole point’ of the Black Country flag – and failed to condemn her for calling for it to be replaced.
The Labour leader said the Wolverhampton South West MP had made it ‘very clear’ that she understands that the flag represents the region’s industrial past.
Mr Corbyn did not take the opportunity to back the flag, or criticise Ms Smith’s stance that the chains on it reflect the Black Country’s links with the slave trade.
The flag has been supported by more than 40,000 people in an Express & Star poll.
It comes after Corbynite MP Ms Smith criticised the flag for its ‘racist connotations’ and said she would like to see it replaced with one that depicts a ‘collective rainbow of people’.
Mr Corbyn was asked for his thoughts on the flag during a visit to Telford.
He said: “It is a flag that represents the industries of the Black Country and the history of the chainmakers of the Black Country and I think we should understand that and actually our wonderful MP, our new MP in Wolverhampton who I am very, very proud of has actually said she understands the whole point behind the flag and has made that very clear.”
Government Chief Whip Gavin Williamson said: “It is a tragic shame that Mr Corbyn could not rally behind the Black Country flag like so many local people seem to have done from all political persuasions.
“Sadly he appears to have missed the opportunity to join in the Black Country festival celebrations.
“He has also missed the point. He really should have been condemning his MP and does not actually seem to appreciate the passion and enthusiasm for the flag in the region and how it represents the proud history of the Black Country.
“It is a real shame that the Labour leadership seem to be setting themselves so firmly against the overwhelming majority of people in the Black Country.”
An E&S poll on the flag has seen the highest response of any in the newspaper’s history.More than 40,000 people have taken part, with 95 per cent saying the flag is not racist.
It has been backed by politicians from all sides of the political divide, including Labour deputy leader Tom Watson who said he was ‘proud’ that it celebrates the Black Country’s chainmaking tradition.
Theresa May spoke during Prime Minister’s Questions this week to praise Gracie Sheppard, from Stourbridge, who designed the flag when she was aged 12.
She was responding to a question from Dudley South Conservative MP Mike Wood, who asked: “The Black Country flag has come under attack from the other side of this chamber in recent days.
“Will the Prime Minister join me in again congratulating Gracie Sheppard, who designed the flag when she was just 12 years old, reflecting our industrial heritage, and does she agree that the latest figures showing the West Midlands as the fastest growing part of this country shows once again that the Black Country remains a great place to do business?”
Mrs May said: “He’s absolutely right, the Black Country remains a great place to do business, and I’d like to congratulate Gracie on designing that flag at the age of only 12 years. And I have to say that I am sure that she and others, including the Express & Star, have been surprised at the attitude from the benches opposite on this particular issue.
It came after Ms Smith said in her maiden Commons speech on Tuesday: “This flag has a link of chains as its primary image.
“I have had two concerns about the connotations of this image; its historical association with the slave trade, and whether it should be the only brand image for the Black Country.”
