Labour MP is mocked for saying the Black Country flag is RACIST because it has chains on it
Eleanor Smith says the flag - designed by a schoolgirl - should be scrapped
A LABOUR MP has been ridiculed for claiming that the flag of the Black Country is racist because it has chains on it.
Eleanor Smith, who was elected to represent Wolverhampton South West last month, has refused to pose with the flag of the local area.
But her stance was mocked as "absolutely nuts" by fellow MPs - who pointed out that the design was created by a young schoolgirl.
The Black Country flag features chain links - a reference to the traditional industry of the area - on a black, white and red background.
The region in the West Midlands was known for the manufacture of iron chains, initially for agriculture and later for shipping and other industrial uses.
Ms Smith said she was worried about the "racist connotations" of the chains - apparently because they could be misinterpreted as slaves' shackles.
She : "The white on black imagery used together with the chains... when you break it down I’m not going to pretend it doesn’t worry me as a black person.
"People have to understand that it can be seen as offensive."
The flag was designed by an 11-year-old girl named Gracie Sheppard in 2012 as part of a public competition.
The MP added: "I understand the flag was designed by a young person, and I don’t for one minute think they realised its connotations.
"Why can’t we have a flag that represents all of us united as a collective rainbow of people?"
On Friday, other local MPs including Labour's Deputy Leader Tom Watson posed with the flag outside the Houses of Parliament.
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But Ms Smith - who was a union organiser before being elected last month - refused to join them.
Tory MP Mike Wood, who represents the neighbouring constituency of Dudley South, ridiculed her allegations about the flag.
He said: "Chainmaking played a big part in building our economy. For her to say that representing it on a flag that was designed by a child is absolutely nuts."
Gavin Williamson, the Tory Chief Whip who is also a local MP, added: "It is ridiculous to think this is a racist flag."