On a rainy Wednesday evening in front of the monumental seat of the Norwegian city authorities in east England, opponents of immigration gathered to express their discontent. Many people in the crowd waved or wrapped themselves in the red-white flags of St. George or the British ones—the alleged Union Jack. any chanted “send them home”, while others directed sharp words to British Prime Minister Keira Starmer and the government, who struggled to halt undocumented immigrants arriving on the British coast by tiny boats.
— I will never halt putting out my flag and never halt celebrating my culture," said Jake, who did not give his full name, citing fears of possible consequences. He is not the only Britishman to hang the British flag this summer.
The #OperationRaisetheColours website run sparked a guerrilla movement in which the flags of St George and Union Jack hung on hundreds of lanterns in cities across the country. Red crosses were painted on the white mini-rondes, and flags hung on the estakadas along any of the UK's main communication arteries.
This is simply a amazing improvement in a country where flags are usually reserved for peculiar occasions., specified as sports tournaments, royal weddings and military anniversaries. For some, the minute of the launch of this initiative, in the midst of a politically hot summertime full of protests against immigrants, triggered a loud alarm.
Hope not Hate's spokesgroup claims that many run organizers of flag hanging have connections with activists of the far right. Tommy Robinson, co-founder of the incitement to racism and the presently non-existent English Defence League party, publishes posts supporting this run and besides stigmatizing immigrants on the X platform — in which he is reminiscent of the platform's owner, American technological mogul Elon Musk.
A survey conducted this week for think tank More in Common shows that a large part of British public opinion (42%) sees the flagship run as a political message against immigrants. Three-fifths of the British polled say he wants to see more flags on lanterns and roundabouts.
— Regardless of the intentions of the people who initiated the action, it is not a run that should concern anyone else," said erstwhile Labour Minister John Denham, presently prof. of identity and English politics. He added that flags are not seen by the British public as an component of political openness.
— If you wear a MAGA cap, you clearly declare your support for Trump. If you hang the flag of St George or Union Jack, for individual like me it is my flag and regardless of the intention of the individual who hanged it, I have the right to view it as I want," he added. “I think we should approach this reasonably calmly,” he said.
Harmful feelings and prohibitions
In Norwich, where, in a akin number as the protesters, a counter-manifest with 2 Palestinian flags has gathered, people are no longer so optimistic. Caroline, a supporter of exile aid, who besides did not give her full name, said the flags became “political symbols”. “People belonging to minorities are very afraid of this flag,” she said about the cross of St. George. “ For any people, it is an emotional stimulus, ” she explained.
This view does not go to Sue Hubbard, a 62-year-old surviving in a village close Norwich, who participated in an anti-immigrant demonstration across the street. He wonders why people hanging the Palestinian flag can argue the flag of St. George. “ I don’t know why they feel offended,” he says.
Of course Nigel Farage was involved. His UK improvement Party, leading in polls, does not support this movement, but a right-wing populist joined it. While any local governments remove national flags in fear that they may be seen as a sign of disrespect or safety threat, Farage promises that the recently elected governments led by the UK improvement will not remove the “reasonably” suspended flags.
“Union Jack and the cross of St George should and will fly across the country,” Farage said in a press statement. — The UK improvement will never avoid celebrating our nation.
This is the consequence of the storm that took place in May, erstwhile the UK improvement – which was captured after success in the local elections – ordered the head of town hall in areas over which it took control, hanging only the Union flag, the St George flag and the counties flags.
Flags supporting LGBTQ+ communities and Ukrainian flags, which were posted in many councils to support the country after the Russian invasion in 2022, should be removed, said the UK Reform.
Farage's possible rival on the right, conservative Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick, besides seems to see the political benefits of supporting this campaign. He published a photograph showing him on a ladder hanging the flag, and then published an article in the paper about the right-wing cut, “The Telegraph”, in which he claimed that people “mobilize to bring back a country they know and love.”
Further string of article under video material
Vacuum filling
This movement may be a serious test for Starmer, struggling as Prime Minister and leader of the centre-left Labour Party. Since taking over the party's rudders in 2020, Starmer has been trying to emphasize that he is “sudden of being a patriot”, frequently appearing against the background of the Union Jack flag and clearly emphasising St George's Day.
The British Prime Minister, who was on leave, told reporters on Tuesday through his spokesperson that he “supported people who are arrogant of our flag, our past and our values”, pointing to flags displayed on Downing Street while England is playing in global sports tournaments.
However, Sunder Katwala, manager of think tank British Future, approaches this with reserve. He believes that politicians like Starmer should go further in their consequence to the rise the Colours movement – and make it clear that "the pride of origin is good, but vandalism is bad."
Ethnic number politicians from both the left and right should besides argue those who claim that the British flag belongs to only 1 group, he says.
“They don’t know the past of our country,” he warnsThose who consider the British flag to be theirs only. “They don’t know the past of our flags due to the fact that they know that British identity has always been of large importance to cultural minorities in Britain,” he says.
— No 1 feels threatened by the flag of England erstwhile 65,000 people go out to Mall to celebrate the return of the lions from the trophy. So I think it is crucial to normalize its use, alternatively of causing anxiety," added Katwala.
Luke Tryl of More in Common agrees with that. “A lot of Britons like the thought of having more Union Jack flags flying around them, and want the city council to remove them only erstwhile they pose a safety threat,” he says.
— For most people, installing guerrilla-style flags is not a problem. However, in the case of vandalism, demolition of property or anything that appears to be a manifestation of bigotry or racism, the public reacts negatively. According to most people, flags can fly in the country, but it should be done with respect, he adds.
