An organised campaign to “bring back patriotism” by raising flying Union Jack and St George’s Cross flags has been described as a “cover for racism” by left-wing campaigners. Red crosses have appeared on roundabouts and zebra crossings with flags flown from lampposts in towns, cities and villages.
Video posted on social media earlier this week showed one man painting the island at the centre of a mini-roundabout with the cross of St George. An image posted online on Tuesday showed workers removing red lines from a mini-roundabout in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, sparking outrage among some X-users.
In one Worcestershire village, footage appeared to show a couple removing England’s national flag from a lamppost. They were dubbed “traitors” by one social media user.
Operation Raise The Colours’ campaign has divided opinion among Brits, with some hailing the flag flying and painting as patriotic while others see moves to sow division.
Lewis Nielsen, anti-fascist officer at Stand Up to Racism, told the Guardian: “We are concerned that the discussion around the English flag and patriotism is giving cover for racism driven by the far right, and – shamefully – by politicians of all shades.
“We do feel the movement is quite dangerous and comes at a tipping point where the far right is trying to build.”
Members of Operation Raise the Colour’s Facebook group have posted scores pictures of flags or daubed on roads and buildings. One member commented: “Sick of the c**p, we need to stand up for our proud nation”.
An administrator of the group commented: “Let’s bring back patriotism once and for all!”.
Flags flown in parts of Birmingham have been removed by the local council and taken down in the London borough of Tower Hamlets in recent days.
Tower Hamlets council said it recognised people wished to express their views but that it has a responsibility to maintain its infrastructure.
Birmingham City Council said while Brummies are proud to be British, it is obliged to remove items attached to lampposts for health and safety reasons.
The local authority said people are free to fly or hang flags from their homes or in their gardens, but urged locals not to attach them to street furniture.
Asked about the flags issue on Monday, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s spokesman said the PM has “always talked about his pride of being British”.
On whether Sir Keir supported people who put up English flags, the spokesman said: “Absolutely, patriotism, putting up English flags.
“We put up English flags all around Downing Street every time the English football team – women’s and men’s – are out trying to win games for us.”