Tensions flared as Kate Garraway was shut down by Reform UK's Zia Yusuf in a heated clash. The Reform UK chairman appeared on Good Morning Britain on Thursday (April 23) to discuss what education policies the party would implement if it were to win the next election. This includes mandatory displays of King Charles' portrait and the Union flag in every school, alongside the introduction of "patriotic" history lessons. The party's aim is to restore "national pride" within the curriculum.
During the discussion, Garraway highlighted that the Union Jack flag has been "hijacked" by members of the far-right and how some people "might feel concerned" about certain elements of Reform. She asked: "Why do you feel the flag is a good way to restart patriotism?"
Yusuf responded: "I think the frame of your question, with respect, strikes up the very heart of the problem. The notion that our country's flag should be in any way something that could be described as quote 'divisive'..."
The presenter interjected: "But it is! It is! I just don't think you want to get into government. You will have to answer some of these points if you do."
Yusuf pointed out that he was attempting to answer the ITV host's question before he was interrupted.
"No, you said the question was wrong and then you went on to say why on earth people think that, but they do," she retorted.
As Yusuf attempted to clarify that that is not what he said, Garraway continued: "You've got people who work on this programme who have seen a St George's cross hanging from bridges and feel fear because it's been associated with groups that they felt have menace for them."
The politician hit back: "If I could answer your question. The point I am making is that to the degree, some people do feel that way, it is because we are not celebrating our flag. And so, to the degree that that is happening, then it is incumbent upon the vast, vast, vast majority of British people in this country to celebrate our flag and put it in the places it belongs, like our schools."
Later in the interview, Richard Madeley asked: "What would happen to a school that refused to do it?"
Yusuf responded: "Our assessment is not that schools are going out of their way to flout regulations. If your question is would there have to be some sort of enforcement mechanism? Yes I think there would be. People watching this programme feel like there are many laws in this country already that are not being enforced and we would look to do that.
"We are in a position where children are being taught, in many cases, and this isn't just our view, they are being taught inaccurate things about the ethnicity of the people who built Stonehenge."
He added: "This is monstrously false and that's not good for our children. So yes, you need to have some rules around these things. Our expectation is that schools comply with the guidance they are given."
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