Latest news with #MatthewSalter
BBC News
18-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Opposition attacks Reform-led Lancashire council's new flag policy
A council has voted through changes that mean a number of flags, including the Pride flag, will no longer be flown over Lancashire County Council voted to restrict those flown to national, county, royal, military and commonwealth flags only in a debate at County Hall in Preston. The ruling Reform UK group told a meeting on Thursday that flags are a way of promoting shared identity and "individual political causes should not take precedence".But Independent county councillor Michael Lavalette accused the party of "trying to divide our community". Reform UK took charge of the council in 2025, and cabinet member for education and skills Matthew Salter said the flag policy was a matter of promoting "shared identity".He said: "We are all Lancastrians – whatever our particular characteristics, whatever someone's sexuality, ethnic background, religion – whatever else is true of us as individuals."We can all come together to celebrate Lancashire and to celebrate the flags of our nation." 'Posture politics' Reform councillor Joshua Roberts, who put the motion forward, said: "Inclusivity isn't measured by the number of flags flown, it's reflected in our policies, services and engagement. "The flag policy is about civic neutrality and unity – not exclusion."Currently the flag of England, the St. George's Cross, the Commonwealth flag, Armed Forces flag and Merchant Navy red ensign all fly over council buildings on or around the individual national days dedicated to those places and Pride flag is flown on the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia on 17 Lavalette said the leading Reform group was "engaging in posture politics".He said: "You're talking to an audience out there that you think want to hear about flags and the range of flags that people fly when actually they don't."Leader of the opposition group, Independent councillor Azhar Ali, said "the list goes on and on" when considering other issues the authority should be looking at, including "the financial position, treasury management, SEND, adult social care, working with the ICB, potholes"."The first opportunity for Reform to put forward some motions, and it's flags," he said. "You shame yourself and you shame this county and you haven't even got the guts to say 'I don't believe in that flag'," Liberal Democrat councillor, John Potter, told the meeting."You're supposed to be the free speech warriors talking truth to power, yet you try this nonsense."Roberts said the council "continues to support diverse communities through funding, outreach and representation"."This policy simply ensures that public buildings reflect shared civic identity, celebrating our local and national identity and acknowledging the important role…our armed forces play in the safety of our country," he final decision will be taken by cabinet at a later date after the motion was passed by a majority, with all opposition groups voting against it. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Fashion Network
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Fashion Network
Hunter and Represent get together on streetwear-meets-Americana collab
July 2 will see the debut of an interesting collab between two British premium-luxury names with Represent's latest link-up being with heritage brand Hunter. And it's interesting not only because of the two names getting together but also stylistically. Their new mini collection 'blends British tradition with American influence, tapping into Represent's vision to bring a fresh, Americana-inspired edge to the brand's UK streetwear roots'. The collection 'explores Western iconography, focusing on the cowboy boot which has been reimagined onto Hunter's iconic Original Wellington Boot silhouette'. The capsule features two exclusive boot styles — the OG Short Boot and Play Short Boot — 'which draw inspiration from the classic Western aesthetic, redesigning Hunter's Original Wellington with a cut top line, distressed detailing and 3D embossed textures to echo the silhouette and decorative stitching seen on vintage cowboy boots'. But true to Hunter's heritage, both styles are made from 100% rubber. They're available in traditional black and dark brown colourways in unisex sizing. As Represent is involved, there's apparel too with a curated range of co-branded 100% cotton T-shirts and hoodies, with a washed finish 'to give the collection a faded vintage look'. Plus there are accessories, such as a baseball cap and bandana decorated with Western iconography. The range features a unified emblem blending the Hunter logo with Represent's signature 'R' initial. Matthew Salter, executive VP, Partnership – Marketing at Hunter's owner Authentic, said: 'By blending British heritage with an Americana edge, this collection speaks directly to a new generation of style-conscious consumers.' And Represent creative chief and founder George Heaton added: 'A year ago I moved to Los Angeles, California to build the brand from the ground up over here, and as a concept we're digging into American history through design and details. What if British Classics met Americana on a Hunter boot? This is probably my favourite collaboration idea in our history, because it was so natural and didn't come as a pitch or a conversation, it was simply an artistic idea on an existing silhouette.'
Fashion Network
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Fashion Network
Hunter and Represent get together on streetwear-meets-Americana collab
July 2 will see the debut of an interesting collab between two British premium-luxury names with Represent's latest link-up being with heritage brand Hunter. And it's interesting not only because of the two names getting together but also stylistically. Their new mini collection 'blends British tradition with American influence, tapping into Represent's vision to bring a fresh, Americana-inspired edge to the brand's UK streetwear roots'. The collection 'explores Western iconography, focusing on the cowboy boot which has been reimagined onto Hunter's iconic Original Wellington Boot silhouette'. The capsule features two exclusive boot styles — the OG Short Boot and Play Short Boot — 'which draw inspiration from the classic Western aesthetic, redesigning Hunter's Original Wellington with a cut top line, distressed detailing and 3D embossed textures to echo the silhouette and decorative stitching seen on vintage cowboy boots'. But true to Hunter's heritage, both styles are made from 100% rubber. They're available in traditional black and dark brown colourways in unisex sizing. As Represent is involved, there's apparel too with a curated range of co-branded 100% cotton T-shirts and hoodies, with a washed finish 'to give the collection a faded vintage look'. Plus there are accessories, such as a baseball cap and bandana decorated with Western iconography. The range features a unified emblem blending the Hunter logo with Represent's signature 'R' initial. Matthew Salter, executive VP, Partnership – Marketing at Hunter's owner Authentic, said: 'By blending British heritage with an Americana edge, this collection speaks directly to a new generation of style-conscious consumers.' And Represent creative chief and founder George Heaton added: 'A year ago I moved to Los Angeles, California to build the brand from the ground up over here, and as a concept we're digging into American history through design and details. What if British Classics met Americana on a Hunter boot? This is probably my favourite collaboration idea in our history, because it was so natural and didn't come as a pitch or a conversation, it was simply an artistic idea on an existing silhouette.'
Fashion Network
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Fashion Network
Hunter and Represent get together on streetwear-meets-Americana collab
July 2 will see the debut of an interesting collab between two British premium-luxury names with Represent's latest link-up being with heritage brand Hunter. And it's interesting not only because of the two names getting together but also stylistically. Their new mini collection 'blends British tradition with American influence, tapping into Represent's vision to bring a fresh, Americana-inspired edge to the brand's UK streetwear roots'. The collection 'explores Western iconography, focusing on the cowboy boot which has been reimagined onto Hunter's iconic Original Wellington Boot silhouette'. The capsule features two exclusive boot styles — the OG Short Boot and Play Short Boot — 'which draw inspiration from the classic Western aesthetic, redesigning Hunter's Original Wellington with a cut top line, distressed detailing and 3D embossed textures to echo the silhouette and decorative stitching seen on vintage cowboy boots'. But true to Hunter's heritage, both styles are made from 100% rubber. They're available in traditional black and dark brown colourways in unisex sizing. As Represent is involved, there's apparel too with a curated range of co-branded 100% cotton T-shirts and hoodies, with a washed finish 'to give the collection a faded vintage look'. Plus there are accessories, such as a baseball cap and bandana decorated with Western iconography. The range features a unified emblem blending the Hunter logo with Represent's signature 'R' initial. Matthew Salter, executive VP, Partnership – Marketing at Hunter's owner Authentic, said: 'By blending British heritage with an Americana edge, this collection speaks directly to a new generation of style-conscious consumers.' And Represent creative chief and founder George Heaton added: 'A year ago I moved to Los Angeles, California to build the brand from the ground up over here, and as a concept we're digging into American history through design and details. What if British Classics met Americana on a Hunter boot? This is probably my favourite collaboration idea in our history, because it was so natural and didn't come as a pitch or a conversation, it was simply an artistic idea on an existing silhouette.'
BBC News
17-03-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Ribble Valley Council leader quits Conservatives to join Reform UK
The leader of Ribble Valley Council has defected from the Conservatives to Reform Atkinson has been in charge for the last six years and recently announced his decision to end his role as leader and talked about hopes of becoming the borough's deputy mayor. He announced the decision at a Reform UK press conference in London, ahead of the forthcoming county council elections in May, in which he intends to be a candidate."Reform is the only party that can save the country," he said. 'Decades of broken promises' He is among 29 councillors from across the country who have defected to the Lancashire councillors who have joined Reform recently include Lancashire county councillors Ged Mirfin and Matthew Salter, and Wyre councillor Paul Ellison. They left the Conservative Party because they "felt abandoned and disillusioned by it after so many broken promises", Reform UK Atkinson said his council had delivered "great success" for residents, but he resigned on Sunday from the Conservative Party to join Reform and would be standing for the party in the county council said: "The reason is that Reform - its vision for growth, prosperity and safety for all Britons - is what the country needs. "And to paraphrase Edmund Burke, all it takes for bad things to prevail is for good men and women to do nothing. "And that's the reason why I make this decision for the greater good."And like so many others, I feel betrayed by decades of broken promises. Tory MPs, ministers and prime ministers have failed over the last 14 years."He claimed: "Labour and the Conservatives have morphed into one. They have become the same thing, high immigration, high taxes and high energy bills. They've let patriots like me and the rest of the country down. They are the globalist uni-party."The only way to ensure we beat Labour is uniting behind Reform, all with a shared vision, making sure the UK is sovereign, prosperous and independent nation that we all know it can be."The BBC has contacted Ribble Valley Borough Council for comment. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
