BBC News
BBCSt George’s and union jack flags have been popping up around the country, leading to a debate about whether they represent pride or prejudice.
Often associated with national sporting occasions, such as World Cups, or patriotic events, such as remembrance days and royal occasions, a surge in recent sightings has sparked controversy.
Some view it as a symbol of respect and celebration, while others associate the flags with the rise of far right demonstrations across the country.
A social media campaign, dubbed Operation Raise Your Colours, has seen flags appear in back gardens in Hull and Lincoln, a red cross painted on a roundabout in Brigg, and others erected on lampposts.
Amid the influx, flags have also appeared recently on the A63 eastbound Mount Pleasant flyover in Hull. While the individuals responsible remain unknown, National Highways said the flags “pose a danger to motorists on the road below, so need to be removed for safety reasons”.
Army and RAF veteran Alex Smith, from Hessle in East Yorkshire, said he put up a union jack flag in his back garden “out of respect”.
“It’s just my way of giving back,” he said.
“Putting a soldier up there with it shows that we’re not all ignorant to those who served and gave our lives for us.”
Kim, from Lincoln, also flies the flags in her garden. She said: “I don’t understand why it should be divisive.
“It’s our national flag, so we should all come together and share it because we all live under this flag, why shouldn’t we all celebrate?”
The rise of St George’s and union jack flags have also been seen in other towns and villages, including Bromsgrove, Worcester, Bradford, Newcastle and Norwich.
Worcestershire County Council said it would not remove the flags, but some councillors strongly oppose painting flags on roundabouts, calling it vandalism – a view shared by other councils nationwide.
Lewis Neilsen, from Stand Up to Racism, warned that the surge in flags is “really dangerous” given the rise of far right demonstrations nationwide.
“What our research has shown is that the same people organising the far right demonstrations are the same people who have started this campaign about Raise Your Colours,” he said.
Historian Dan Snow said flags have always been a symbol of identity.
“They’re always political. It’s not surprising that we are still having this argument,” he explained.
Bryan Brocklesby