Councillor Owain Clatworthy Criticised Over Rainbow Picnic Table in Bridgend

Restore Britain county councillor Owain Clatworthy posted a photograph of a rainbow‑painted picnic table at the McArthur Glen shopping centre in Bridgend, Wales, describing it as "mandatory ideology" that forced a political view on the public. His comments sparked a backlash on Facebook, with tens of thousands of replies accusing him of homophobia and mocking him for being "triggered" by the table.

Clatworthy, who became Bridgend's youngest councillor at 20 after originally winning for Reform UK before defecting to Restore Britain, has previously faced controversy over remarks about Islam. Bridgend MP Chris Elmore defended LGBTQ+ visibility, stating that freedom to be oneself should not be framed as ideology.

The incident highlights ongoing culture‑war debates in local UK politics, with the councilor's remarks drawing national attention and online ridicule.