“You have created hatred and bad feeling,” an Isle of Wight councillor has said with his finger pointed towards County Hall’s Reform UK group.
Councillor Karl Love made the accusation in a heated clash during debate on a motion for the Isle of Wight Council to reaffirm its continuing commitment to its Equality Objectives 2023 – 27 and supporting minorities.
The independent representative said he and many members of the LGBT community “no longer feel safe” on the Island.
His amended proposal was passed by councillors last Wednesday evening (16th September 2026).
What the motion says
It said the local authority reaffirms its continuing commitment to upholding the principles and protections of the Equality Act 2010 and recognises diversity and inclusion strengthens the community.
In addition, the motion restates the council’s commitment to flying national flags at County Hall alongside other flags for which existing permission is in place.
The Equality Act explained
The Equality Act prohibits direct and indirect discrimination, harassment and victimisation, according to the House of Commons Library.
It applies in various scenarios, including at work, in education and in regard to services and public functions.
Reform UK’s objection
Reform UK councillor Robert Newton said he supported the principle behind the motion which he described as dignity, equality and freedom and the right for every person to express who they are. He added,
“But my difficulty with this motion is the additional use of any particular group flag…I believe the Union Flag already represents every resident, every background and every community equally.”
Councillor Ed Blake, who leads the Conservative group, said an amendment has been put forward which doesn’t change the council’s existing flag procedural patterns.
He continued,
“This amendment reaffirms our current flag policy so I disagree with the point that’s just been made…it’s a bit of a moot point given that the motion has substantially changed.”
Love: You have created hatred
Councillor Love said he had not asked for any change in the policy of the council regarding flags. He added,
“The Union Flag is one of the most important things in my life…you have created hatred and bad feeling.”
Isle of Wight Council vice-chair Tony Barry, a Reform UK councillor, immediately intervened.
“Stop there, stop there Councillor Love, stop there. No, we’re not having this. There was no mention of hatred. In fact, there was quite a lot of mention of supporting diversity – you are the one now coming out with poor attitude and poor speech.”
A personal perspective
Councillor James Whelan, leader of the Reform UK group, said he wasn’t sure whether he was going to speak on the motion but added that “as a man that happens to be gay”, he has the responsibility to.
He said,
“The original fight for gay equality was about exactly that – equality. It wasn’t about creating different classes of citizens, it wasn’t about placing one identity above another, it wasn’t about asking public bodies to take positions in every cultural debate, it was about ensuring the government treated everybody the same.
“That remains my view today and that remains the view of my group.”
Councillor Love said he had “obviously touched a nerve for a lot of people”.
He added,
“Why do I feel frightened now? Why do I have to look over my shoulder? I experience it and so do a lot of the LGBT community and other people. They are feeling that fear and that needs to be addressed.
“Do you want to live on an Island that’s united or do you want to live on an Island that lives in fear?”
How councillors voted
Seventeen councillors who voted in favour of Councillor Love’s motion included the Conservative and Green groups, an independent, three Liberal Democrats, five Island First Network members, the All for Islanders group and the Labour councillor.
There were three Reform UK votes against and 15 members of the group abstained.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
