Brits living in Weoley Castle and Northfield have been putting up flags all across their neighbourhood. The suburbs in Birmingham have been called “Britain’s most patriotic” but critics have hit back after the flags have been taken down.
Birmingham City Council began to take down the flags from lighting, saying it caused a potential hazard to public safety, reports GB News.
“I have never understood why when the Welsh fly their flag they are Welsh, when the Scots do it they are Scots but when the English do it, we’re racist,” said Darren Elms, a 55-year-old Highters Heath Lane resident who has worked in various industries.
Elms emphasised inclusivity, telling The Sun: “As far as I am concerned, anyone born here is English.
“You can be of any faith or no faith, any colour it does not matter. The flag is here for everyone.”
This comes after Brits in many parts of the country have begun to fly England’s flag or spray paint the St George’s Cross onto road markings.
Around 200 promotional materials and flags have been removed from lampposts since January in the authority.
The council says the policy is aimed at unauthorised attachments instead of specific symbols.
The removals have prompted increased installations across Weoley Castle, Northfield and Highters Heath Lane, where flags now adorn every lamppost along entire stretches of road.
Charity worker Matthew Barnett said: “There have always been flags up in this part of Birmingham.
“It is one of the most patriotic places around. Now they are everywhere and I do not see anything negative about it.”
“I don’t mind any flag. This is a multi-cultural area and if everyone wants to fly their flag that is fine with me.
“But there should not be an issue with the England flag in England, that’s just nonsense.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer recently declared himself a “supporter of flags”, dismissing claims that displaying England’s ensign should be considered racist and revealing he maintains a St George’s Cross in his flat.