Prime Minister Kier Starmer has stated he’s “very encouraging” of individuals flying nationwide flags, however stated they are often devalued when flown “purely for divisive functions”.
The widespread flying of Union and St George’s Cross flags, following an internet marketing campaign referred to as Operation Increase the Colors, has develop into contentious and several other native authorities have eliminated them from public infrastructure.
Some politicians have decried their elimination, whereas others declare the elevated variety of flags is a results of xenophobia or racism.
Requested on Monday whether or not folks placing up the Union and St George’s Cross flags within the wake of asylum lodge protests may very well be thought of racist, Sir Keir Starmer informed BBC Radio 5 Dwell: “I’m supporter of flags.”
He added: “I’m the chief of the Labour Get together who put the Union Jack on our Labour Get together membership playing cards. I all the time sit in entrance of the Union Jack. I’ve been doing it for years, and it attracted a whole lot of remark once I began doing it.”
The Prime Minister additionally stated his household has “received St George’s flag in our flat” in Downing Road.
He went on: “I’m very encouraging of flags. I feel they’re patriotic and I feel they’re an incredible image of our nation.
Starmer says flying flags is patriotic however may be ‘devalued’ if used to ‘divisive functions’
“I don’t suppose they need to be devalued and belittled. I feel generally once they’re used purely for divisive functions, really it devalues the flag.
“I don’t need to see that. I’m pleased with our flag.”
Downing Road declined to inform reporters how giant the St George’s Cross flag within the No 10 flat was, revealing solely that Sir Keir received it when he attended the Euros closing between England and Spain in 2024.
“I really am restricted in how a lot I can touch upon the scale of his flag,” the Prime Minister’s official spokesman added.
He stated the Prime Minister couldn’t, nevertheless, help “graffiti” and that folks “can decide what the suitable methods are” of utilizing flags.
On Friday, Durham County Council issued an announcement concerning the latest enhance within the variety of Union flags and St George’s Cross flags on lampposts.
A St George’s Cross flag close to the A1206 within the Isle of Canines (Jordan Pettitt/PA)
The Reform-led council stated that whereas it understood and revered folks’s want to indicate nationwide delight, public security shouldn’t be compromised.
It’ll take a “risk-based method” and it’ll take away flags the place they pose a hazard to road-users, impede visibility for drivers or pedestrians, or if they’re poorly secured.
Councils in different native authorities, together with Tower Hamlets in east London and Birmingham, have additionally lately eliminated flags.
Tory chief Kemi Badenoch beforehand stated it’s “shameful” of councils to take away St George’s Cross flags and stated native guidelines have been being enforced “selectively”.
Writing within the Every day Mail in August, she stated the flying of English flags must be “welcomed”, quite than be “seen as an act of riot”.
“After years of politicisation by those that search to decrease England’s tradition and Christian heritage, it’s encouraging to see English flags flown proudly as symbols of unity, nationhood and optimism,” she stated.
