URGENT UPDATE: A heated immigration debate in the United Kingdom has ignited a fervent wave of patriotism, as countless English and British flags are being displayed across the country. This new trend, which has emerged primarily in response to rising anti-immigration sentiment, is being championed by far-right figures and has seen flags flying on motorway bridges, lampposts, and in towns and villages nationwide.
Latest reports indicate that hundreds of thousands of flags, including the iconic St George’s and Union Jacks, have been erected since mid-August. Carla Kennedy, a member of the group Worcester Patriots, stated, “We didn’t expect it to go so big, but it’s really happening.” The flags symbolize not only national pride but also a growing discontent with illegal immigration policies in the UK.
Kennedy emphasized, “It’s not racist at all. We are proud to be English and British, and we have got a problem with illegal immigration.” This display of national pride is occurring amid a backdrop of protests against hotels housing asylum seekers, with some protests turning violent, notably in Epping, northeast of London.
Critics, including anti-racism campaigners, argue that this flag-waving movement is being driven by “hardened and extreme far-right activists.” The group Operation Raise the Colours, co-founded by Andy Saxon—an ally of notorious far-right figure Tommy Robinson—has emerged as a key organizing force. Saxon claims that over a million flags have been raised since the campaign began.
However, these figures remain unverified. The counter-extremism charity Hope not Hate warns that the movement’s roots in far-right extremism raise concerns about its true motivations. Robinson has lauded the flag displays as “a glorious sight,” while his group Britain First has actively supported the initiative, donating 75% of its flag stock to local teams in Manchester and the West Midlands.
The timing of this surge in flag displays coincides with growing popularity for the anti-immigration Reform UK party, which has gained traction in national polls and made significant local election gains earlier this year. The party’s focus on the issue of irregular immigration has resonated with a public increasingly frustrated with government policies.
In a recent interview, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed pride in both the Union Jack and St George’s flag, stating they represent important symbols of the nation. However, he cautioned against their use for divisive purposes, which he believes undermines their significance.
As this story develops, the implications of these flag displays and their connection to the ongoing immigration debate in the UK are sure to spark further discussion and controversy. The situation remains fluid, with the potential for more protests and public displays of patriotism as the September 13 date of Robinson’s planned “free speech festival” in London approaches.
Stay tuned for updates as this story unfolds and the national conversation around immigration and patriotism continues to evolve.
