Reform leader's Walsall Council dress code rejected as controversial

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 21 Oct, 02:32 · Archive

Walsall Council has rejected a proposed dress code submitted by the Reform leader that would have required councillors to notify chairs before wearing religious dress or Remembrance Poppies.

Walsall Council has rejected a proposed dress code submitted by Reform leader Elaine Williams. The policy would have generally banned sportswear, shorts and clothing with slogans or political messaging, along with hats and caps.

The most contentious element required councillors to notify meeting chairs in advance if they planned to wear religious or cultural dress, items worn for medical reasons, military medals, small Union Jack or Saint George's Cross pin badges, or the Remembrance Poppy. Following criticism, Williams proposed amendments that removed military medals, badges and poppies from these restrictions, though the requirement to notify chairs about religious or cultural dress remained.

At the standards committee meeting on 19 October, Councillor Aftab Nawaz raised concerns about the religious dress provision. He said: 'Are you as an administration seriously suggesting that somebody wearing a scarf or a turban should notify the chair person to get permission? Because that's how this reads.' Councillor Christine Edwards agreed the dress code was unnecessary, as councillors already dressed appropriately.

How it is being reported

• Reform’s ’embarrassing’ Walsall Council dress code proposal rejected following controversyIt said councillors should notify the relevant chairperson in advance of any meeting if they planned to wear religious or cultural dressExpress & Star · 21 Oct, 02:00
• Reform UK's 'embarrassing' Walsall dress code including Remembrance Poppy clause thrown outCouncillor Williams was asked whether she planned to notify chairs if wearing a Poppy in the coming weeksBirminghamLive · 20 Oct, 14:44

In this story: Walsall Council · Reform UK · Elaine Williams · Aftab Nawaz · Christine Edwards · Walsall

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