A Local and National Trend
England flags started appearing in Brighton near the end of last month, visible along the seafront, attached to lampposts, outside the Churchill Square shopping centre, and on main roads. The council has since removed a large amount, stating that the flags are in breach of health and safety guidelines. The displaying of flags follows a national trend of outpourings of anti-immigration sentiment, violent demonstrations outside hotels housing asylum seekers and increased nationalist attitudes. The cause can also be linked to a campaign called ‘Operation Raise the Colours’, which has been raising money to purchase and distribute England flags. This campaign has founder members with links to the EDL and far-right campaigner Tommy Robinson. Organiser Andrew Currien was previously an EDL bodyguard and served prison time for being part of a racist attack that resulted in the victim’s death.
Although the council has been taking action to remove flags placed on public property, I have seen a number hanging from windows and in gardens around Brighton. Signs have also been vandalised, with a St. George’s cross added in several locations. I noticed one had appeared on the front of the Lewes Road Sainsbury’s recently. This is an issue affecting most areas across the country, including Brighton, which has one of the country’s only Green constituencies and a relatively young population that tends to be more progressive in its politics. Whether this is on the turn or not will be seen.
England Flag: Patriotism or Racism?
There is discourse currently surrounding whether displaying a flag is a racist action. Some argue that it is a means of demonstrating love and pride in one’s country and nothing more. I believe context to be important here. It has never been much of a common occurrence to display an English flag in this country, aside from during national sporting events like football tournaments or in times like these, where pockets of extreme nationalist attitudes and xenophobia have become more prevalent. At the moment, the St George cross is being used as a symbol to divide, rather than unite, the population underneath it.
It would be a different story if the motives and messages accompanying the array of flags were ones of unity, promoting England as a country where we welcome and care for those fleeing war, political violence and other difficult circumstances. If these flag bearers want to show that they truly care for the country, perhaps they should instead volunteer at a youth project, helping the children that they so often claim need to be protected, organise an event to raise funds for what the local community needs, or help an elderly neighbour with shopping or tasks around the house.
By failing to condemn recent actions, Keir Starmer has justified their continuation and put immigrants, poc and possibly LGBTQIA+ people in danger. He told BBC Radio 5 Live that he was a supporter of flags, had flags in his own home and believed in displays of patriotism. He did state that flags can be devalued when used for the wrong reasons, but failed to denounce the violent behaviour that has been taking place across the country. Protests outside asylum hotels and vandalism mirroring that of last August’s racist, anti-immigrant riots have continued to occur. In my view, by describing himself as a supporter of flags, he has aligned himself with the racism and hatred that the England flag and the Union Jack are currently being used to represent. The far right have got their way, as they have distracted the general public from the ways we continue to be failed by those who are meant to be representing our population, and turned attention towards their hate-fuelled discourses. Nigel Farage missed the first sitting of parliament after the summer recess as he was in America instead. Yet it is he and his allies whose political careers have been bolstered by proclaiming love for the English nation and how it needs to be protected from immigration.
I hope that the city of Brighton can continue to be a place where people feel at ease to express themselves, whilst understanding the need to harmoniously co-exist with others. Whilst there is not inherently a problem with the England or Union Jack flag, it does make me feel uneasy when I see them due to the current motives behind their flying. Those who have taken part in vandalism and extremist protests must be held accountable, and our government and local leaders must do more to show that there is no place for racist and extremist attitudes, both in Brighton and the rest of the country.
Another article you may enjoy: https://thebadgeronline.com/2025/07/sussex-psychology-students-condemn-grade-reductions/
